Impact for Equity

This week, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability in Chicago held a pivotal hearing where Joi Imobhio and Amy Thompson from Impact for Equity presented key findings from our 2023 Traffic Stops Data Report. Our data underscores a critical issue: pretextual traffic stops disproportionately affect Black and Latine drivers in Chicago, with minimal impact on public safety. In collaboration with the Free2Move Coalition, we submitted over 2,400 petitions from Chicago residents advocating for essential policy changes. Our proposed three-part policy includes: - Ending pretextual traffic stops - Limiting stops for minor traffic violations - Ending suspicionless consent searches These policy changes are vital for addressing systemic inequities in the current traffic safety system. Learn more about Impact for Equity traffic stops research and advocacy with Free2Move here: https://lnkd.in/gwhyc9t9

Impact for Equity salutes the incredible reporting by Alejandra Cancino and Maya Dukmasova of Injustice Watch, whose five-part series "The Tenant Trap" explores the systemic barriers that renters across Chicago face in their journey to find homes that are both affordable and safe. Injustice Watch's reporting also makes clear the need for policy interventions in Chicago's building code enforcement process, including the need for a robust rental registry, regular proactive inspections, and ensuring troubled buildings are made safe and healthy for tenants. As a member of the Chicago Healthy Homes Coalition, Impact for Equity is committed to finding solutions to these problems alongside community organizations and tenant unions throughout our City. Learn More Here: https://lnkd.in/efMcscJx    

The Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA) came together this week for a strategic planning retreat. Three years after the passage of the Empowering Communities for Public Safety(ECPS), Chicagoans have more power over public safety and policing than ever. However, there is still a great deal of work to hold Chicago Police Department accountable. Together, we mapped out our campaign to continue this work and developed priorities for the year ahead. #ECPS #PoliceAccountability #GAPA 

The SAFE-T Act was designed to bring transparency and accountability to Illinois law enforcement, but progress on the new officer decertification systems has been slow. This was underscored in the recent case of Sean Grayson, who was hired by several different law enforcement agencies, despite being the subject of multiple officer misconduct complaints between 2020 and 2024. If the SAFE-T Act had been implemented fully, Grayson's record would have curtailed his law enforcement career, which would have prevented a tragedy like the killing of Sonya Massey. Learn more about the need for urgent action in our recently published Advocacy in Action issue brief, exploring the new officer decertification systems and its slow progress getting off the ground click here: https://lnkd.in/gcXcxTmq

The death of Sonya Massey at the hands of a police officer was a disturbing and senseless tragedy.  To read the Invisible Institute’s investigation into the officer’s history of misconduct along with Staff Counsel Amy Thompson’s commentary, visit IPMNewsroom.org.  

Outside of her role at Impact for Equity, Sally Enid Gonzalez leads vibrant equity-driven initiatives. As a Council Member of the Woodlawn Advisory Council, she is spearheading the Community Investment Grant program—a $3 million initiative aimed at funding 20 to 30 organizations, with a strong emphasis on minority-led and minority-serving groups. These grants will empower Woodlawn residents and organizations, driving economic growth and social justice initiatives.    We are incredibly proud of Sally’s dedication and leadership in this impactful initiative!   To learn more about the Woodlawn Advisory Council, email [email protected].   https://lnkd.in/g7kJDa_F

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and public housing advocates have updated their 2019 agreement in the landmark civil rights case, Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority. This amendment addresses both progress and ongoing needs in housing development and the voucher program, with a continued focus on mixed-income development at six former public housing sites. Advocates from Impact for Equity and CHA lawyers have submitted the updated agreement, which will take effect today and continue through 2027. “The agreement recognizes progress by the CHA in spreading housing throughout the city and building units since the 2019 agreement was implemented. At the same time, the fact that this is being extended means there is more work to do. As people can see just by looking at many of the Plan for Transformation sites, there’s a lot of redevelopment left to do and a lot of housing that still needs to be built. The extension is a marker of a continued need for that redevelopment and a need for the city, the CHA, advocates, and others to commit to making that happen,” said Daniel Kay Hertz, Director of Housing for Impact for Equity.   https://lnkd.in/g-kn6fbR

Give a warm welcome to Carmen Aiken. 👋 Carmen Aiken is the Development Associate at Impact For Equity. Carmen brings over a decade of non-profit development and operations experience to their role, including database management, fundraising communications, events management, and grants administration. As a freelancer, they have worked with grassroots organizations supporting fundraising campaigns and events activation, as well as creating communications materials and writing grants. Prior to joining Impact for Equity, they worked in program and project management, focusing on equitable outdoor access. Carmen has a Master’s of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois-Chicago, where their concentration in community development focused on capacity building strategies in the non-profit sector, and is a proud graduate of Mills College, in Oakland CA.    In their spare time, Carmen enjoys exploring on her bicycle, spending time in the Lake Calumet region and outdoors, and constantly adding to their Chicago Public Library holds list. Learn more about Carmen here: https://lnkd.in/gkgc4wtT

We’re thrilled to embark on the second half of 2024 feeling rejuvenated and inspired after last week's staff retreat, thanks to our incredible team and reflections at Impact for Equity! We’re grateful for the generosity and hospitality of Myles Berman and Foley & Lardner LLP for hosting our retreat. A special thank you to Brian Johnson, author and CEO of Equality Illinois, for a thought-provoking fireside chat, sharing key insights from his book, "The Work is the Work" – a must-read for advocates of change. Energized and purpose-driven, we’re now more determined than ever to tackle the challenges ahead and drive meaningful social change in 2024 and ahead!

Join a renters’ rights workshop hosted by our partner the Law Center for Better Housing. This is an excellent chance to deepen your understanding of tenant rights and empower yourself with valuable knowledge.