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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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

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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

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Marysee Prairie Monthly Workday

Marysee Prairie is one of the last remnants of tallgrass prairie in the Big Thicket region. Come assist Texas Land Conservancy in their ongoing effort to revive and maintain the native grasses and wildflowers on this site near Batson, Texas. Work tasks vary by month, but they involve controlling the regrowth of woody species and…

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Host a Most Needed Items Drive for children entering the foster care system

Carrying Hope Houston invites volunteers to host a most needed items drive at the site of their choice ( ex: your office, home, kids sporting event,etc), with their organization, office, neighborhood, friends, etc. All items must be new, with tags, or in original packaging. Current most needed items include: flashlights with batteries, stuffed animals, socks/12…

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aniMeals on Wheels needs Volunteer Delivery Drivers

Make a big IMpact on the lives of the Meals on Wheels seniors, served by Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels Program, by delivering pet food to help them keep the bellies of their beloved, furry friends full and happy! Meals on Wheels seniors, when money or resources are tight, will share their food with their…

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Conservation Connections

Every day is Earth Day at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center! Volunteers are invited to join staff and assist with a variety of conservation projects such as maintaining the pollinator gardens, plant propagation, and habitat restoration. Conservation Connections meets every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Ages 12 and older welcome. Volunteers under the age…

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Opportunities at Goodwill Houston- Volunteer Roles

Volunteer opportunities are needed at Goodwill Houston for the following positions: Pulling Position, housekeeping, line-boosting, bagger and cashier assistant, assistant to pricer, assistant to DA, softline, re-organizing store, fitting room assistant, Re-Organizing Racks Sale floor position, sorting, baler, book scanner, greeters, door greeters/monitors, pre-sorters, General Sanitizer/Cleaning Crew Member

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Help End Hunger in Our Community

Volunteer at the Houston Food Bank and take part in the mission of Food for better lives! Opportunities are available for individuals, corporations, schools, faith based and community organizations and others. Help out while sharing the value of volunteering with those you learn with, worship with, play with or work with – and have a…

Walk to Defeat ALS Houston

The Walk to Defeat ALS is a community celebration of HOPE across the state of Texas. The goal this year is to raise $1.43 Million to support those with ALS and continue to back the search for a cure. This year, there are walks being held in eight cities across Texas.

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Brighter Bites Food Boxing Project

Brighter Bites is a nonprofit that creates communities of health through fresh food with the goal of changing behavior among children and their families to prevent obesity and achieve long-term health. Since 2012, Brighter Bites has provided nearly 40 million pounds of produce and millions of nutrition education materials to more than 475,000 individuals. During…

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World Mental Health: Day of Remembrance – HOUSTON

The Walk Houston will host its World Mental Health: Day of Remembrance – HOUSTON honoring the 1,100 students losing their lives to mental health. It will be held at City Hall Reflection Pool located at 901 Bagby St. Houston, TX 77002. It’s a FREE event beginning at  6:15PM to 8:00PM.

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National Suicide Hotline Representatives

We are looking to add more suicide hotline representatives to our organization. You must have a cell phone, and you will work from home. When a call comes through our suicide hotline, it will begin ringing on the cell phones of our suicide hotline reps, and the first one to answer will take the call.…

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!

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