Community Renewal Society: Our Impact

Played a key role in the passage of the Illinois Prescription Discount Drug Bill for seniors.
Conducted the first equity analysis of the Chicago Public Schools budget, which revealed that schools with the most poor and minority students tend to come up short. School reform advocates formed an ad hoc budget monitoring committee to hold CPS budget officials accountable.
Produced the first comprehensive report card on Chicago school reform and disseminated it widely, including through Crain’s Chicago Business.
Prompted an internal investigation into the court system’s racially biased practice of automatically transferring juvenile offenders to adult court; successfully fought to reform the policy.
Worked to pass the nation’s first sealing of criminal records law, allowing ex-felons who were sentenced for non-violent crimes to fully re-enter society.
Revealed that homicide rates in and around public housing were rising, despite decreasing rates across the city. This prompted the Chicago Police Department to respond with plans to redeploy officers to better protect residents.

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