Community News

Chicago civil rights groups call for release of Mahmoud Khalil, Palestinian green card holder who helped lead Columbia encampment
By Caroline Kubzansky and Rebecca Johnson PUBLISHED: March 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM CDT A day after at least 250 people protested at Chicago’s Federal Plaza the arrest and possible deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, an activist who helped lead Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian encampment in New York, civil rights groups called for his release. “Mahmoud’s case is not just…

Chicago scientists make key finding that may improve Alzheimer’s drugs
by: Dina Bair, Katharin Czink Posted: Mar 12, 2025 / 04:33 PM CDT There has been progress. The latest Alzheimer’s drug appears to tackle the characteristic features of the disease in the brain. Now Chicago area scientists say they have identified the genes that drive the process and now want to make the drug even better. Lynn van…

How Trump-issued tariffs will impact Illinois, and what products will be hit
Illinois could be hit especially hard, as it maintains robust trade relationships with Canada and Mexico By NBC Chicago Staff • Published March 4, 2025 • Updated on March 4, 2025 at 3:54 pm President Donald Trump has followed through on a campaign pledge to impose significant tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. The new tariffs, going into effect Tuesday, impose a 25%…

Federal workers in Chicago protest mass firings by Trump administration
Former and current employees of the EPA are decrying sweeping and sudden terminations, executed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. By Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Tom Jones and Liz Nagy Tuesday, February 18, 2025 CHICAGO (WLS) — On the bitterest of Chicago winter days, federal workers recently iced out of their government jobs swapped a short…

Heartland Alliance Health staying open, after receiving last-minute funding
By Lisa Schencker February 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM CST Heartland Alliance Health will remain open after annoucing plans to close its clinics in Englewood and Uptown and three food pantries earlier this month. A notice on Heartland’s website says: “We have exciting news! We are staying OPEN!!” The website says Heartland is contacting those who already received…

South suburban Chicago school district makes kids’ mental health a focus
By Noel Brennan February 11, 2025 / 7:57 PM CST BLUE ISLAND, Ill. (CBS) — A school district in Chicago’s south suburbs makes mental health a priority — even for the youngest of students. It all comes thanks to a federal grant to Cook County School District 130, which includes schools in Blue Island, Crestwood, and Alsip.…

How to celebrate Black History Month in Chicago
Last updated on January 17, 2025 by Rosalind Cummings-Yeates The significance of Black history in Chicago has helped shape the city into a cultural and economic powerhouse. And there’s no better time to discover the fascinating details of this legacy than during the Black History Month celebration throughout the city. The Black History Month tradition was actually established in Chicago…

Chicago’s Immigrants Are Being Targeted By ICE. Here’s What You Can Do To Help
From sharing information and shopping immigrant-owned businesses to donating to nonprofits, here are seven ways Chicagoans can help immigrant communities in the city. by Francia Garcia Hernandez January 28, 2025 CHICAGO – Immigrant communities in Chicago are on edge amid the Trump administration’s broad immigration crackdown during his first week in office. Over the weekend, U.S.…

Prospect of an Immigration Crackdown Leaves Some Chicago Neighborhoods Bracing
Activists are holding meetings to advise people about their legal rights and families have been drafting powers of attorney. By Ernesto Londoño and Julie Bosman Jan. 21, 2025 Reports that the Trump administration might swiftly carry out an immigration crackdown, perhaps as early as this week, have left some neighborhoods reeling in cities like Chicago. While the timing and…

Undercover sting exposes rampant housing discrimination across Chicago area, watchdog group says
Real estate agents, brokerage firms and landlords routinely violated state law by rejecting renters who sought to use housing vouchers, the Housing Rights Initiative claimed in a slew of complaints filed Monday. By Mohammad Samra Jan 20, 2025, 1:43pm CST A sting operation found that real estate professionals often declined to rent Chicago-area properties to investigators…
Local Organizations
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Rainbow PUSH Coalition - We protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields, and to promote peace and justice around the world.
Chicago Urban League - Since 1916, the Chicago Urban League—through collaborative community, corporate and civic relationships—has helped people find jobs, secure affordable housing, enhance their educational experiences, and grow their businesses. One of the oldest and largest affiliates of the National Urban League, we promote strong, sustainable communities through advocacy, innovation, and collaborative community, corporate and civic relationships.
Grassroots Collaborative - Grassroots Collaborative builds power with working families through strategic community-labor organizing, grassroots leadership development, civic engagement, and training. We started in Chicago and our 9 member organizations and their 125,000 members, along with an effective and diverse set of ally organizations across movements create transformative change to win fully funded resources for our public schools, social services, and affordable housing that working families depend on.
First Defense Legal Aid - First Defense Legal Aid provides free, 24-hour legal representation to people in Chicago Police custody and educates Chicagoans about how to protect their constitutional rights. We undertake these activities to promote fairness and accountability in the justice system.
Inner-City Muslim Action Network - The Inner-City Muslim Action Network is a community organization that fosters health, wellness and healing in the inner-city by organizing for social change, cultivating the arts, and operating a holistic health center. IMAN incorporated as a nonprofit in 1997 through the drive of people directly affected by and deeply invested in social issues affecting communities of color living on Chicago’s South Side.
One Northside - Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality: Northside is a mixed-income, multi-ethnic, intergenerational organization that unites our diverse communities. We build collective power to eliminate injustice through bold and innovative community organizing. We accomplish this through developing grassroots leaders and acting together to effect change.
Polished Pebbles - The mission of the Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program is to provide girls (7-17 years old) with the opportunity of learning the vital life skill of effective communication. Our Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring program instills confidence in girls to face the challenges of daily life by substituting aggressive forms of communicating and problem solving with new strategies that allow them to gain a solid reputation and respect without retaliating.
Restore Justice Illinois - Restore Justice Illinois believes in the possibility of rehabilitation, redemption, and reunification with the community for all incarcerated people, even those who have committed the most serious crimes.
Safer Foundation - Safer Foundation is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of services designed exclusively for people with criminal records. We focus on helping our clients secure and maintain jobs because we understand that employment offers the best chance at successful re-entry.
Dovetail Project - We give young African American fathers – ages 17-24 – the skills and support they need to be better fathers for their children and better men in their communities.
Black Youth Project 100 - BYP100 is National, member-based organization of Black 18-35 year old activists and organizers, dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people. We do this through building a network focused on transformative leadership development, direct action organizing, advocacy, and political education using a Black queer feminist lens. BYP100 envisions a world where all Black people have economic, social, political, and educational freedom.
Upcoming Events

Beats + Ballots
Beats & Ballots is a dynamic community event that combines music, culture, and civic engagement. This event provides a platform for young people to come together, celebrate local talent, and engage in discussions around the importance of voting and participating in the democratic process. Attendees can enjoy live performances, learn about voter rights, and take…

Opal’s Walk for Freedom
On Thursday, June 19th, Dr. Opal Lee will complete her annual 2.5-mile walk to recognize the 2.5 years it took for the news and enforcement of freedom to reach the enslaved people in Texas. Now a national holiday, Juneteenth celebrates the freedom gained when slavery was abolished all across the country. Unity Unlimited and Ms.…

Empowered – A Day of Healing and Resources
Empowered is an event designed to connect crime survivors with vital resources and support their healing journey. Hosted by the Collin County Crime Victims Council in partnership with the Plano Police Victim Services Unit, this event aims to empower survivors and help them thrive. Enjoy food from the CUTX Food Truck (3:30 PM – 5:00…

A Social Justice Impact Celebration
Join LoveJustice for an unforgettable evening at the LoveJustice Social Justice Impact Celebration, a prestigious awards dinner dedicated to honoring North Texas’ changemakers and advancing social justice efforts.

Actress and activist Diane Guerrero to speak at CU Boulder April 10
The Cultural Events Board (CEB) is proud to welcome Diane Guerrero—acclaimed actress, author and activist—as this year’s keynote speaker. Guerrero, best known for her roles in “Orange is the New Black” and “Doom Patrol,” has become a leading voice in the national conversation on immigration and social justice. Guerrero will speak at CU Boulder this…

Chicago Homeless Outreach Packing Day Every 3rd Friday of the Month
Assemble essential care packages for individuals experiencing homelessness. During this event, volunteers will work together to pack bags filled with toiletries, blankets, socks, hygiene products, and other necessary goods. These packages will then be distributed to our friends on the street the following day. No prior experience is needed; bring friends/family, supplies to donate, and…

Volunteer to Write Easter Cards 4 Prisoners
Write Easter cards for prisoners in collaboration with Kolbe House Prison Ministry at St. Michael in Old Town and spread love and hope to those who may need it most during this holiday season. No artistic skills required.

LoveJustice Day of Learning for 2025
Join the LoveJustice community for our first Day of Learning in 2025. During this virtual gathering, we will come into greater understanding of how we can support those experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
Local Hero Spotlight
Members can nominate a local hero for recognition on their local LoveJustice.com city page!
Anyone and everyone can make an impact, and at LoveJustice we believe that they deserve to be recognized for their good, necessary work!
