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Watch the new FORCE Project Video

The CRS FORCE Project has produced a new video. Check it out!

The Chicago Reporter March/April Issue

Enhanced Drug Laws: In the ongoing "war on drugs," lawmakers pass harsher laws with little examination of the extra costs.

The Achievement Gap: Catalyst In-Depth Winter 2013

A special diversity initiative has given promising black students from the worst elementary schools a seat in top high schools. But the program’s success won’t close the gap for poorer students who need better prospects for a good education.

Sealing Bill Passes General Assembly

On Wednesday, May 22nd, the Illinois General Assembly passed HB3061, the Illinois Sealing Bill! The FORCE Project fought for over 2 years to make this bill to expand opportunities for employment, housing, and education for people with records a reality!

F.O.R.C.E. Father's Day

Join Congressman Danny K. Davis, other elected officials, and 400 CRS church leaders on June 15 to call on Walgreens to hire people with felony records.

CRS News

The Chicago Reporter – City’s Foremost, Most Trusted Publication on Race and Poverty Issues – Commemorates 40th Anniversary

Award-Winning Magazine, Training Ground for Young Journalists Marks Four-Decade Milestone with “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” Gala in June

Chicago, Ill.— In 1972, veteran civil rights activist John A. McDermott imagined a monthly publication that would investigate and analyze racial issues. Founding Publisher McDermott recruited Lillian Calhoun, a veteran of the Chicago Sun-Times, as his co-editor. They met to plot the first issue, Calhoun recalled years later. “To save money, we decided on a newsletter, printed in good, clean Helvetica,” she said. “We chose extra-thin paper for inexpensive postage. Folded to letter size, it could fit in a busy executive’s pocket or purse.”

Rev. Al Sharp named Acting Executive Director of CRS

We have some great news to share with you!

CRS is pleased to announce that Rev. Alexander Sharp has been named the Acting Executive Director of Community Renewal Society (CRS) while we continue our national search for a permanent Executive Director. Rev. Sharp comes to CRS with a long and distinguished history of work with faith-based progressive organizations. He is best known for serving as the founding Executive Director of Protestants for the Common Good (PCG) from May 1996 through June 2012. Protestants for the Common Good is an Illinois faith-based education and advocacy organization that is in the final stages of merging with CRS. Rev. Sharp was instrumental in bringing together the well regarded policy work of Protestants for the Common Good with the organizing and publication strengths of Community Renewal Society.

Laura Washington to Lead Publisher Search, Oversee Management at The Chicago Reporter

As we announced last week, Kimbriell Kelly will be leaving the Reporter to join The Washington Post. But we are excited to share with you a transition plan to ensure that the good work of the Reporter continues without interruption, including plans for the 40th anniversary, website re-launch and the editor search.

We are happy to announce that former Chicago Reporter Publisher Laura Washington will rejoin the Reporter to lead the search for a new publisher. She will serve as interim publisher and work with staff to oversee the work of the publication.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight

CRS Blogs

Joint statement from The Civic Action Network and Protestants for the Common Good

Sep. 13, 2012

As people of faith, we affirm the crucial role of high-quality public education for all children in our American democracy and are committed to achieving that in our Chicago public schools.

Chicago Public Schools is the third largest public school system in the nation, serving roughly 400,000 students and employing over 20,000 teachers. This week, as the Chicago Teachers Union goes on strike for the first time in 25 years, Protestants for the Common Good and the Civic Action Network of Community Renewal Society issue the following statement.

We believe that it is particularly important to support the Chicago teachers who nourish and educate our city’s most precious resource—its children. It is our moral obligation to provide excellent public education to every child, ensuring a strong foundation for the next generation of leaders in our city. We offer our thanks and gratitude to those who work tirelessly in the classroom, and we support the teachers in their negotiations.