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...

Community Renewal Society is committed to police accountability and reform that centers the needs of those most directly impacted by police misconduct.

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

Two years ago, while traveling in the remote western region of Ghana, I came across one of the most traumatic experiences I’ve ever happened upon...

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

The City of Chicago’s contracts with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Illinois Policemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (PBPA) are currently under negotiation. The current contracts codify policies that enhance the code of silence in the police department. The contracts do not effectively hold police accountable, they make it hard to identify and investigate police misconduct, and they allow police to lie about misconduct.

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. 

People with criminal records are being deterred from getting an education. The majority of colleges ask about an applicant’s criminal record

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 Chicago City Council is days away from voting on how to spend millions of surplus funds. Low participation in the city’s property tax rebate program has resulted in a surplus of $14 million. We are joining community organizations across the city and calling on aldermen to use this unique opportunity to fund essential violence prevention programs, which invest in our youth and curb the violence devastating our communities.

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.

The Reclaim Campaign to reduce violence in our communities is celebrating two major victories! Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart publicly announced a plan to tear down three divisions of the Cook County Jail over the next two years. President Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners recently increased the funding for community-based violence prevention in the FY17 Cook County Budget from $3.2 to $6.2 million!

CRS member churches came together to affirm our priorities for the “Platform for Renewal 2016-17,” present our annual congregational and partner awards, celebrate campaign victories, celebrate board members whose terms have ended, elect new board members and dialogue about our strategic vision. Father Larry Dowling of St. Agatha Catholic Church and Jaquie Algee of Trinity UCC co-chaired the assembly.