Chicago

Welcome to LoveJustice Chicago

Providing vital area resources & a digital home
for our local social justice community.

Community News

images

Chicago Spent $510.9M on Overtime in 2024, Including $273.8M for Police, Down Slightly From Last Year

Heather Cherone | Jared Rutecki | July 22, 2025, 4:38 pm The city of Chicago spent approximately $510.9 million on employee overtime in 2024 — 1.5% less than in 2023, with more than half of the total amount used to compensate Chicago Police Department officers for working extra hours, according to records obtained by WTTW News. The…

AdobeStock_38420688.jpeg

Chicago Eliminates Parking Minimums Near Transit

Changes to a city ordinance make it easier to build ‘by-right’ car-free developments near train stations and pave the way for more affordable housing. July 23, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT By Diana Ionescu Writing in Streetsblog Chicago, Steven Vance and John Greenfield praise the city of Chicago’s recent move to eliminate parking minimums near train stations…

maxresdefault (1)

Illinois officials express concern over Medicaid, SNAP cuts in new budget law

by: Jenna Barnes, Ethan Illers Posted: Jul 8, 2025 / 07:22 PM CDT   CHICAGO (WGN) – Elected officials and local leaders gathered in downtown Chicago Tuesday to discuss their concerns now that President Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill” is law. WGN-TV listened in on a roundtable discussion with the American Civil Liberties Union and several Democratic members…

Vivent-Health-2_web (1)

LGBTQ+ health centers brace for Trump’s attacks

Chicago-area research labs and community health clinics are navigating illegal funding stoppages, censorship, and increasing anti-LGBTQ+ violence under President Donald Trump. by Devyn-Marshall Brown (DMB) June 25, 2025 John Peller’s two decades as an AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) staff member have been marked by highs and lows. In 2010, after President Barack Obama signed the…

20240909_084046_web

What’s next for CPS?

New leadership and looming budget problems are on the horizon for Chicago Public Schools. by Maureen Kelleher June 26, 2025 June 18 was the last day on the job for Pedro Martinez, the long-embattled chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. Only a week before he left, the Chicago Board of Education narrowly voted to appoint…

87af725e77efdfa14f31441134d8b826

Hundreds march in Chicago Disability Pride Parade that celebrates diversity, demands accessibility

Katherine Weaver, Chicago Tribune Sat, July 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM CDT You wouldn’t guess that Matt Keeth has a severe visual impairment from the way he skateboarded up and down Chicago’s Disability Pride Parade in the Loop — if not for the red-and-white striped cane he rolls in front of him. Keeth, 31, a…

early-intervention-lv

Mother shares struggles obtaining help for her children through early intervention disability program

By Lauren Victory July 11, 2025 / 6:45 PM CDT About 60,000 children with developmental disabilities qualify for a free Illinois program that provides speech, physical therapy, and other services. It’s called “early intervention” and can be a game-changer. The problem is that the service is delayed for more than 2,000 kids. Meet the Heath…

Vivent-Health-2_web

LGBTQ+ health centers brace for Trump’s attacks

Chicago-area research labs and community health clinics are navigating illegal funding stoppages, censorship, and increasing anti-LGBTQ+ violence under President Donald Trump. by Devyn-Marshall Brown (DMB) June 25, 2025 John Peller’s two decades as an AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) staff member have been marked by highs and lows. In 2010, after President Barack Obama signed the…

20240909_084046_web

What’s next for CPS?

New leadership and looming budget problems are on the horizon for Chicago Public Schools. by Maureen Kelleher June 26, 2025 June 18 was the last day on the job for Pedro Martinez, the long-embattled chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. Only a week before he left, the Chicago Board of Education narrowly voted to appoint…

download (15)

Chicago’s Black-owned businesses hope Juneteenth support extends year-round

When Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, many Black-owned businesses reported strong sales. Now, Chicago companies say they hope the trend continues. By  Mariah Rush Jun 19, 2025, 7:00am CDT For years, Essential Elements owner Melanie Whaley sold bedazzled Juneteenth T-shirts, with sayings like “Juneteenth Queen” and “Free-ish and fierce.” This year, the items are…

Local Organizations

[city_organization_3]

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

[city-event3]
TexasTreesFoundation_logo_color-768x256

Cool School Friday – JN Ervin Elementary Planting

Texas Trees Foundation is starting its Spring Planting Season on March 2nd until mid-April (only March dates are currently available for signing up. Volunteers will have the opportunity to plant trees at several park locations on multiple dates. Age: 12 and up with Parent or Guardian. Younger children may attend events on public property but…

TexasTreesFoundation_logo_color-768x256

Branching Out Saturday – Casa View Park Planting

Texas Trees Foundation is starting its Spring Planting Season on March 2nd until mid-April (only March dates are currently available for signing up. Volunteers will have the opportunity to plant trees at several park locations on multiple dates. Age: 12 and up with Parent or Guardian. Younger children may attend events on public property but…

ONLINEevent

Virtual Dementia Friend Education Session

Join online on the 2nd Tuesday of every month for a VIRTUAL Dementia Friend Information Session, presented by Dementia Friendly Dallas volunteer Jane Hunley. In this informative session, you will learn the signs and symptoms of dementia, some basic communication tips, and how to turn learning to action. Dementia Friend is an initiative of Dementia…

violas house

Violas House Christmas at Fair Park (Prep)

Viola’s House two-day holiday event is designed to share the joy and excitement of Christmas with their community of families by helping them meet the needs of Christmas for their children. They need volunteers the day before the event to help set up and prep the two location sites we will be distributing toys, diapers,…

violas house

Violas House Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

The ‘Turkey Giveaway’ is designed to share the joy and excitement of Thanksgiving! By providing turkeys, Viola’s House helps the communities they serve meet the needs of Thanksgiving for their families. Formed in 2008 as a “Maternity Home” to provide temporary housing and support services to expectant teenage mothers aged 18-24 in the Dallas area,…

violas house

Violas House South Dallas Serves

South Dallas Serves is a yearly community event held in the 75215 zip code. This event is designed to expose the community to over 40 non profit service organizations. Come out and serve with us as we take over the block one family at a time! Formed in 2008 as a “Maternity Home” to provide…

Judi-Kinney

Community is a Radical Act of Love Growing Older as LGBTQ+

Join Judy Kinney, Executive Director of GenPride, and members of the LGBTQ+ community for a lively discussion about how to stay proud and engaged as they age. GenPride advocates for Seattle/King County older LGBTQIA+ adults’ unique needs through programs and services that cultivate well-being and belonging. Judy Kinney (she/they) is an experienced non-profit leader and…

Seattle Clinic Offering Free Dental, Vision and Medical Care Beginning Thursday

Those who struggle to access or afford healthcare have a chance to receive free dental, medical and eye care services for a limited time starting Feb. 15. Led by Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation, Seattle/King County Clinic returns to Seattle Center for a ninth year. Each year the clinic brings together healthcare organizations, civic…

houstonevents1

Houston Faith Votes: Gear Up for 2024

This event will have keynote speakers on the importance of civic engagement in faith communities, toolkits to kickstart or grow your communities efforts, networking with fellow Houstonians who share your commitment to democracy, and much more.

Press Conference

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!

Local Hero

Recommend A Local Hero

Chicago in Action!

Featured Charities