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CCPSA names finalists for CPD Superintendent

Chicago will soon have a new police superintendent, and thanks to our Empowering Community for Public Safety (ECPS) victory, the people have played an integral role in the process for the first time ever.

Last night, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) announced its three finalists for CPD Superintendent. This was the culmination of a months-long, nationwide search that included the participation of hundreds of Chicagoans, along with community organizations like JCUA, advocacy groups, labor unions, faith-based organizations and more.

The Commission named two CPD veterans and one outsider as finalists:

• Chief Shon Barnes is the Chief of Police in Madison, Wisconsin, and previously served as Director of Training and Professional Development for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA).
• Chief Angel Novalez is the Chief of Constitutional Policing and Reform for CPD.
• Chief Larry Snelling is the Chief of Counterterrorism for CPD.

Congratulations to UWF’s new Executive Director!

Mazal tov to Kennedy Bartley, the new Executive Director of United Working Families (UWF)! Kennedy has been UWF’s Legislative Director for the past four years and has played a leadership role in many political and electoral wins.

Read more about Kennedy and her hopes and vision: “Co-governing with the people most directly impacted by the policies, and making sure that those policies aren’t just shaped with them in mind, but with them in the room, working toward these end goals of housing for all and healthcare and mental healthcare for all and good-paying jobs and clean water and clean air — the demands that we’ve had for decades.”

Introducing the Ometz Lev affinity space

Ometz Lev is a new affinity space within JCUA for those who have been excluded from Jewish communal life because of structural or financial barriers, who have personal stake in housing and economic justice issues, and who want to vision together a world where all people have access to Jewish spaces.

Ometz Lev means heart-courage. The name speaks to the boldness it takes for each of us to show up with the fullness of ourselves and our stories. It takes courage to show up to Jewish spaces, where there are often assumptions about the type of life one leads, and be honest about experiences of homelessness, worrying about making rent, or missing out on Jewish childhood experiences.

Read more about Ometz Lev. If you would like to join Ometz Lev for the upcoming Shabbat dinner on August 18, please contact Housing Justice Fellow Sam Rose (sam@jcua.org)

Chicago needs more affordable housing

The Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University has released a new report that highlights the shortage of affordable renting housing in Chicago.

Rogers Park/Uptown, Logan Square/Avondale, and West Town/Near West Side are neighborhoods that have experienced the largest decline in affordable housing. Additionally, the report finds that the proportion of very low-income renters has increased, with 51% of renters spending more than 30% of income on rent.

JCUA committee potlucks are next week!

Gather in-person with our Community Safety and Immigration Committees at upcoming potluck dinners! These are great opportunities to get plugged in, , learn about our recent wins and upcoming work, and enjoy a meal together.

• Community Safety Potluck: Monday, July 17, 6-7:30 pm at SketchPad
• Immigration Potluck: Wednesday, July 19, 6-7:30 pm at Montrose Beach

We’re looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces. Bring a friend! 

Help shape Chicago’s 2024 budget

Would you like to be a part of helping shape Chicago’s 2024 budget through a series of community engagement roundtables? The Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management are asking us to provide our input through a series of upcoming community engagement roundtables:

• Westside Roundtable: July 18 at 6:00 pm at Malcolm X College (1900 W Jackson Blvd)
• Southside Roundtable: July 20 at 6:00 pm at Kennedy King College  (6301 S Halsted St)
• Northside Roundtable: July 22 at 10:00 am at Harry Truman College (1145 West Wilson Avenue)
• Youth Roundtable: July 25 at 5:00 pm at Harold Washington Library (400 S State St)