Roundup: July 7, 2023

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Mayor Johnson’s transition team shares its report

A Blueprint for Creating a More Just and Vibrant City for All was developed through the collaboration of 400 Chicagoans who served on 11 transition committees. The final report presents recommendations and ideas for the administration around public safety, housing, immigration, and more.

Among the recommendations:

  • Implement #TreatmentNotTrauma, by reopening Chicago’s public mental health clinics and deploying a citywide, non-police response line
  • End Chicago’s use of ShotSpotter surveillance technology
  • Support the Bring Chicago Home campaign to create a dedicated revenue stream for affordable housing
  • Strengthen Chicago’s infrastructure to be inclusive and welcoming toward migrants and refugee communities

Johnson appoints new Board of Education members

The new Chicago Board of Education was announced on Wednesday, full of community organizers and public educators. We are thrilled to see so many of our movement partners, including Board President Jianan Shi, Executive Director of People’s Unity Platform coalition partner Raise Your Hand. This new board will serve as a transitional stage for the city’s first partially elected board, coming with elections in November 2o24. Congratulations to the board members on their appointments: Board President Jianan Shi, Vice President Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Mary Fahey Hughes, Michelle Morales, Mariela Estrada, Tanya Woods, and Rudy Lozano Jr.

Join JCUA for upcoming potluck celebrations!

Get to know the Community Safety Committee and Immigration Committee at upcoming potluck dinners! Our July committee meetings are great opportunities to get plugged in, bring a friend, learn more about recent wins and committee work, and enjoy a meal while building community.

We’re looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces, in-person!

Tisha B’Av for Asylum

Tisha B’Av is an annual fast day commemorating moments of tragedy throughout Jewish history, including the destruction of both temples and scattering of the Jewish people.

Before we enter this day set aside for grief, join JCUA for learning and a pre-fast meal in community. We’ll do a teach-in on the U.S. asylum system, the forces that drive people to flee their homes, and a text study on exile. We’ll also be collecting supplies for recently arrived asylum seekers at the event, and will be sending out a list soon. We hope to see you from 5:30-7 pm on Wednesday, July 26, at congregation partner Beth Emet.

JCUA is hiring!

Join the JCUA team: we are looking for a Director of Operations & Finance and a Database Manager.

The Director of Operations & Finance will be responsible for managing finance, operational planning and budgeting, human resources administration, and IT. They will be integral in cultivating an equitable and inclusive workplace culture that enables JCUA to achieve our mission. Learn more about the job and apply!

The Database Manager’s work provides a critical function to ensure our organization’s success with the primary duties of maintaining donor and engagement database, processing donations, acknowledging gifts, and providing administrative support. Learn more about the job and apply by August 1, 2023.