The money that we spend on keeping people in the Cook County Jail wastes taxpayer dollars, damages lives, and does nothing to stop the violence in our communities. That's why we have launched the Reclaim Campaign.

Russell Cunningham, a CRS leader and member of the Reclaim Campaign from First Baptist Congregational Church in Chicago, gave the following testimony at the Reclaim Campaign Launch on November 7, 2013.

Join us in calling on members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor to oppose SB 1342 and any new legislation that expands mandatory minimums or enhances Illinois’ already harsh sentencing policies.

We need to be "smart" rather than "tough" on crime to reduce violence. SB 1342 takes a counterproductive, piecemeal approach to gun violence.

Are you wondering how the Affordable Care Act will affect you, your faith institution and your community? The Campaign for Better Health Care's In-Person Counselors can help.

In late August 2013, Governor Quinn signed into law two key pieces of criminal justice legislation, which go into effect immediately.

Good news! Governor Quinn has signed most of our 2013 legislative priorities into law.

Over the past year, Community Renewal Society advocated for common-sense anti-trafficking gun measures. We are disappointed in the new concealed carry law enacted by the IL General Assembly because it lacks many safeguards.

Thanks to advocates like you, and in concert with our amazing Advocacy Network members, congregational organizers, and coalition partners, we have good news to report from this year’s session.

With less than two weeks left in the regular legislative session, we are in the final home stretch. PCG is pleased to share a couple of successes with you, as well as update you on pending legislation that you can take action on now.

With only three weeks left in the session, Wednesday, May 8, 2013 was a big day for our legislative priorities in the Illinois General Assembly Committees.

We call upon all Illinois legislators to ensure that any gun legislation that is called for vote in the General Assembly include the following anti-trafficking measures: universal background checks, titling handguns, and reporting lost or stolen firearms.

Every day 3.9 million men and women in Illinois are denied opportunities to decent employment and housing. Current law and practices prevent hard-working, law-abiding individuals the chance to move forward from past mistakes. HB 3061 would give many of them a better future.

Illinois ought to be a leader of national legal reforms that consider prostituted people as victims of human trafficking in need of services rather than as criminal offenders.

The Fair Tax Campaign's upcoming series of "Train the Trainer" events is a great opportunity to get involved in a significant tax reform initiative in Illinios

Illinois is poised to lead the nation by enacting the strongest and most comprehensive fracking regulations in the country. Tireless advocacy from across the state resulted in negotiations that produced a bi-partisan regulatory bill introduced last week in the General Assembly with support from the environmental community, as well as the oil and gas industry.

The IL Senate is scheduled to vote on SB26 to expand Medicaid eligibility for the uninsured under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) the week of February 25. Call your Senator now and ask them to vote YES on SB26!