It is not a statement that is said lightly. However, it is a bold declaration of affirmation for those within the Black and Brown community who are often marginalized. When we say ‘All Black Lives Matter,’ this means Black queer lives matter. Black lesbian lives matter. Black transgender and transsexual lives matter.

Most Holy and Divine One,
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
The God of Sarah, Hagar, Rachel and Leah,
On this past Pentecost Sunday, as our nation began physically burning because of systemic oppression, help us God….
--Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro

More than 250,000 people are in jail every year while awaiting their trial in Illinois. Every day, thousands of people are incarcerated even though they have not been convicted of a crime, and even though a judge has determined it is safe for them to return to their homes pending a trial.

CRS stands in solidarity with its community partners and is committed to supporting local community efforts. Please share this list of Chicago food pantries widely with your networks and consider supporting if you are able. Together, we will heal, rebuild, and rise.

Publicizing the names of people released from incarceration due to the pandemic, then painting everyone as a repeat offender or exploiting a tragic loss of life, exemplifies a system that demonizes people with records.

The Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ writes to express our acknowledgement of the communal pain, outrage and lament felt by so many of our citizens.

The team at the Chicago Jobs Council is feeling grief and sadness. We are tired of the violence of white supremacy still raging in this country.

It has been a year since Lori Lightfoot took office and she has yet to fulfill a critical promise to communities of color to establish a civilian oversight board over the Chicago Police Department.

Community Renewal Society is monitoring the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. CRS is following the guidance prepared by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will continue to update this blog article as resources are made available.

Read a press release issued by the GAPA coalition denouncing May Lori Lightfoot’s inaction in police reform. GAPA will continue the fight for police accountability and civilian oversight and we will keep you updated on how you can support our work.

During this pandemic, fair tax reform is needed now more than ever. According to Governor Pritzker, projections show a possible 2021 deficit of more than $7 billion.

CRS stands with our brothers and sisters at the Chicago Community Bond Fund in their fight to free people from their bonds. Click to read our full statement.

CRS made a major mark in history by creating the first federally enforced consent decree without the Department of Justice while ensuring that we have the power to directly file a motion with the court, should the police not maintain compliance with the decree.

Today, landmark legislation for people with records is effective, providing more opportunities to obtain fair housing throughout the state of Illinois and Cook County. Thanks to you, we are celebrating the implementation of two new laws to protect human rights!

The legislation is in place for the people of Illinois need to say YES to Fair Tax. 

CRS is creating an Anti-Racism Transformation Team. The transformation team will be committed to dismantling institutional racism within CRS in all of its forms.

A huge victory for over one million people in Cook County who will be protected by the Just Housing Amendment

Superintendent Eddie Johnson accepted the mantle of leadership during one of Chicago’s most tumultuous moments in recent history.

Freedom fighter, Union spy, Underground Railroad Conductor and Social Justice Organizer, Harriet Tubman is commanding our attention even 100 years after her death.

Community Renewal Society is in solidarity with the Justice 4 Laquan collective. Join us by taking action!