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1. Kim Foxx won’t run for reelection in 2024

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced this week that she will not seek a third term in 2024.

Since Foxx came into office in 2016, she has championed many progressive reforms, including legalizing cannabis, eliminating cash bail, and pushing for the exoneration of wrongfully convicted people. Foxx also instituted policies to limit the prosecution and incarceration of low-level crimes, policies which made her a target of tough-on-crime rhetoric.

2. Community Ventures Program (CVP) Impact Tour

JCUA traveled around the city last Friday for our Community Ventures Program Impact Tour. Through CVP, JCUA partners with nonprofit developers and community organizations, awarding zero-interest loans that get projects off the ground and create living-wage jobs for local residents.

For the Impact Tour, we gathered at Lincoln Park Community Services, then boarded a bus to Gage Park to visit PODER (and enjoyed a delicious catered lunch from ChiFresh Kitchen). Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our amazing partners for their hospitality!

3. UN to investigate policing across the U.S

The United Nations is sending human rights experts to Chicago and other large American cities to investigate racist killings by police. The panel will be visiting government officials, law enforcement, community organizations, and detention centers to conduct research on excessive use of force and other human rights violations.

Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality, said “Extrajudicial killings have become increasingly routine in American policing. This deadly police brutality represents a massive human rights violation that falls most heavily on people of African descent… We hope this visit will help us move our country to live up to its obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights agreements.”

Looking Back: In 2008, JCUA was part of a delegation that traveled to Geneva to provide testimony to the UN Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination. Our Director of Development & Advancement Brian Gladstein provided testimony on inequities in Chicago, saying “Community leaders throughout Chicago don’t feel that their voices are heard by our local government. This is why we are here. To represent those that are victimized by our government’s discriminatory policies and practices.”

4. CVP partner Housing Forward breaks ground

CVP partner Housing Forward has broken ground on H-F Broadview, a 16-unit Permanent Affordable Housing project. The new facility will serve individuals and families, including veterans who are experiencing homelessness and have a documented long-term disabling condition.

JCUA awarded a $200,000 zero-interest loan to Housing Forward to cover predevelopment costs. For three decades, the organization has been a leader in the prevention, outreach, and housing solutions aimed at ending homelessness.

5. Learn the fundamentals of community organizing

Organizing 101 is back! On Sunday, May 21, join us to learn the foundational skills and concepts of community organizing. We’ll dive into power analysis; values and self-interest; 1 on 1s; and our connections as Jews.

This training is a great opportunity to learn and practice core skills, meet other JCUA members, and gain a better understanding of our methods of social change. Registration is open and we hope to see you there!