Statement of Principles on Public Safety Toward Flourishing Communities

Racially biased policing is creating a moral, economic, and political crisis in Illinois and across the U.S. This crisis takes the form of pretextual stops in Black communities and racially targeted ICE detentions and deportations in immigrant neighborhoods. Racially biased policing that includes a lack of regard for Illinois’s Sanctuary State status is making Illinoisians less safe. We urge our state’s leaders to work together to pass public safety legislation that embodies the following faith-rooted principles of public safety toward flourishing communities. As faith leaders, we call for public safety legislation that: 

• Respects the inherent dignity of all people, establishing no hierarchy of human belonging. (Gen. 1: 26-27) 

• Demonstrates compassion and care for vulnerable people. (Matthew 25:35-41) 

• Ensures transparency and prioritizes the truth. (John 8:32) 

• Rewards integrity and ensures fairness to all residents. (Exodus 20:16) 

• Protects the sanctity of life by prioritizing non-violent methods. (Psalm 139, Exodus 20:13) 

• Holds law enforcement accountable to the people of Illinois without respect to race, religion, color, gender identification, or any other point of identity. (Matthew 20:25-28) 

• Treats immigrants with the same dignity and protection of the law as native-born citizens. (Leviticus 19:33-34)  

• Protects the integrity of our Sanctuary State, according to the law and policing practices. (Numbers 35:9-15) 

• Contributes toward the repair of communities broken by historic and present injustice, rebuilding ancient ruins, and raising up the foundations of many generations. (Isaiah 58:10)

Signatories to the Statement of Principles will also receive occasional email requests as part of this initiative. Thank you for your prayers; they make a difference.