Illinois Alliance for Reentry and Justice

It's difficult to put into words the impact of our recent trip to DC to acknowledge the 30th anniversary of the '94 Crime Bill and present our proposal for a new bill to over 50 legislative offices. The journey with The People's Coalition for Safety and Freedom (PCSF) has showcased the power of participatory democracy—from ideation to the present stage. If you spot familiar faces in the photos, feel free to tag them in the comments. safetyandfreedom.org #PCSF #CrimeBill #Legislation #ParticipatoryDemocracy

This fall, Chicago Beyond is hosting a National Justice Convening for correctional administrators, correctional staff and union leaders, and people formerly incarcerated to create collective action that is focused on Holistic Safety in America’s jails and prisons. If you have been incarcerated or work in a carceral institution, or are leading reform initiatives, and are interested in attending please contact connect@chicagobeyond.org.

This weekend was amazing! Thanks to everyone in the Chicagoland area who came out for the Chicago Emerging Leaders™ training and who are now eligible to apply for one of five grants from Chicago Beyond. https://lnkd.in/gqW77iXB #EmergingLeaders #ChicagoBeyond #JLUSAstrong

In their latest report, 'One in Five,' The Sentencing Project lays bare the stark realities of how mass incarceration exacerbates inequality and undermines public safety. It's crucial that we listen to those with lived experiences within the justice system to truly understand and address these issues. Initiatives like @TheMarshallProject and @PrisonJournalismProject are essential in bringing these stories to light. Let's engage with these perspectives to drive meaningful reform. #CriminalJusticeReform #InequalityInJustice

Rep. Tarra Simmons (Leading with Conviction™ 2018) proposes bill to give incarcerated people in Washington state the right to vote, serve on a jury. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ggXwKJtg #TarraSimmons #Washington #FelonyDisenfranchisement #VotingRights #JuryDuty

Please take the time to read about this wrongful imprisonment that has impacted my family for the last 35yrs. Innocence Project of Illinois has started a GoFundMe page to help get Brian on his feet. The link is in the comment section if you want to donate. Thank you for taking the time to read this story. On December 12, 2023, Brian Beals walked free into the arms of his family for the first time in 35 years after a Cook County judge overturned his wrongful murder conviction based on new evidence of his innocence. He served the second-longest term of wrongful incarceration in the state's history. Brian was a senior at Southern Illinois University and a college football player when he was ripped away from his future and his family, and sent to prison for 35 years as an INNOCENT MAN. Please consider donating to help Brian Beals begin rebuilding his life. Any amount is greatly appreciated, not only because it supports him in the financial struggles of life after prison, but because it sends a message – YOU ARE NOT ALONE, BRIAN. The dismissal of all charges against Brian marks the end of a legal battle that began in 1988 when he was wrongly accused of murder in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. During the trial, Brian was convicted primarily on eyewitness misidentification. However, newly surfaced evidence includes statements from five additional witnesses affirming that Brian was the intended target and not the perpetrator. The case involves some of Cook County's “notorious” justice system figures, including Brian's defense attorney, Earl Washington, previously labeled by the Chicago Tribune as one of Illinois' most "inept" attorneys; and Detective Thomas Ptak, the lead investigator, who has been linked to eight other proven wrongful convictions, with Brian becoming the ninth. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office agreed to vacate Brian's convictions based on his actual innocence, calling this case "a grave miscarriage of justice". #CNN #APNews #NPR #InnocenceProject #FreeAtlast #IDOC

Please join us for our JLUSA Emerging Leaders FREE 2-day advocacy training event for organizers and activists who have been directly/indirectly impacted by the criminal justice system. Training will take place February 2nd and 3rd, 2024 in Chicago, IL (Shout out to my hometown!!). Please be sure to register no later than January 19th, 2024 in order to secure your spot!!