We all know that this year has been a difficult one for organizations, communities, and leaders. Navigating a hostile political climate which has included a rollback of equity and inclusion initiatives, a retrenchment in funding for racial equity and justice work, and targeting not only organizations advocating for justice, but also direct harm against vulnerable communities. Organizers, movement leaders, and everyday people across Illinois have done what our communities have always done: they kept doing the work. From protecting immigrant community members, to creating mutual aid resources, using storytelling as a tool for inspiration and change, and getting legislation passed that advances equity, our grantee partners have illuminated the power of community, collaboration, and the belief that until all of us are free, none of us are free.

Chicago’s robust network of immigrant serving organizations, organizers, activists, and community members showed the nation what it looks like to resist authoritarian power in its response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting of Chicagoland’s immigrant communities. A leader in this effort, grantee partner Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights’ (ICIRR) Family Support Network provided a range of resources, including deportation defense, referral to legal services, health care, and assistance with workplace rights and safety. New grantee partner who also frequently partners with ICIRR, Organized Communities Against Deportation launched a mutual aid fund in October to support individuals and families that have been directly impacted by detention, deportation, and ICE raids. The mutual aid fund provides direct cash assistance and purchases and delivers groceries and other essential items to people sheltering in place due to ICE activity.

With so many targeted attacks on vulnerable communities, we are happy to celebrate two major policy wins that illustrate how Illinois’ ecosystem of racial justice organizations leads in advancing racial and economic justice. Our grantee partners Workers Center for Racial Justice and Equity and Transformation (EAT), along with national organization Community Change, collectively organized community members to advocate for permanent guaranteed income. Last month the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed a budget that included a permanent funding allocation of $7.5 million for the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, making it the first county in the nation to establish permanent funding for guaranteed income. Guaranteed income is one important lever for creating financial security and addressing systemic disinvestment of communities, and allowing people to have “clean slate” is another one. Resulting from years of advocacy by the Clean Slate Illinois Coalition, Illinois became the 13th state to pass automatic records relief, which will remove a major barrier to housing, employment, and financial security for people impacted by the criminal justice system. GVF is proud of our many grantee partners who led and participated in the coalition, including Live Free Illinois, Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishment, Workers Center for Racial Justice, and Equity and Transformation.

When we center the voices, wisdom, and experience of people who are most impacted by inequities and injustice in the work to achieve racial justice, we create the conditions for all communities to thrive.