The fight to license gun dealers in Illinois is not over, even though SB 1657, the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, was not called for a vote.

Gun violence touches all of us. Last year in Illinois more than 4,300 people were shot and 720 died, many of them children. We can do something now...

With the support of the Mayor, the Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Chicago to ensure that the CDP implements recommended DOJ reforms...

“Finally, I can have an opportunity to provide for my family and show society I am rehabilitated,” said Karlos Lloyd, a FORCE leader...

I’m Karlos Lloyd. I’m a FORCE leader and I traveled to Springfield eight times this session to advocate for HB 2373, which would expand eligibility for records to be sealed.

Community Renewal Society advocates for economic and criminal justice reform policies that restore opportunities for people with criminal records and support police accountability reform throughout Illinois. We oppose new mandatory minimums or sentence enhancements, especially as a solution to gun violence.

After 736 days, a bipartisan budget package passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly. Thank YOU for your tireless advocacy efforts!

Illinois is in its last week of the fiscal year and legislators are currently meeting in Springfield for a special session. We are poised to enter our third year without a full budget, increasing the damage to our communities, schools, human service and healthcare sectors.

Quintin Williams shares his research on HB 3142 and calls for support to "Ban the Box" in higher education.

Calling all Faith in Action advocates!  We are midway through the 2017 spring legislative session and your voice is needed to bring justice to Springfield. 

Illinois senators will soon vote on a bill that would enhance Illinois’ already harsh sentencing policies but not reduce violence. This proposal is a continuation of harmful public policies that studies have shown are ineffective.

Support a bill which would increase employment, housing and educational opportunities for millions of Illinois residents with criminal records.

The Illinois General Assembly will convene for the “Lame Duck” session on Monday, January 9, 2017. Take action now and send an email to your state representatives to oppose legislation that will increase sentences for second time gun possession but not make our communities safer.

As of January 1, 2017 four new laws in Illinois are opening doors for people with past felony convictions to work in Illinois schools, park districts and health care facilities. Take action now and help to spread the word about these new employment laws.

On July 29th Governor Rauner signed HB 4360 into law! Urge the Governor to sign the remaining bills to increase employment opportunities in schools for people with criminal records.

The Illinois General Assembly and Governor Rauner reached a compromise on a stopgap funding bill for fiscal year '16 and the first six months of fiscal year '17 on June 30, 2016--the last day of the fiscal calendar. However, the immense damage done in the past 365 days, without a state budget, will not be repaired by this stopgap bill.

HB 4515, a bill to create health care job opportunities for people with criminal records, passed the Illinois House on Wednesday, June 29, 71-38! It will now be sent to the Governor.

The Illinois state legislature adjourned the 2016 spring session just minutes before midnight on May 31 and, once again, failed to pass a budget for FY16 or FY17.

Join us on June 30 and demand that Gov. Rauner and legislative leaders put aside non-budget agendas and pass a responsible, fully funded budget with adequate revenue.

Three bills have passed the Illinois General Assembly with significant bi-partisan support and will now be sent to the Governor for his signature.

Members of the Illinois General Assembly will have a chance to vote for a proactive long-term solution to the Illinois budget crisis when they go back to Springfield next week.