2024-03-29 14:37:32 2024-03-29 09:37:32

Rideshare Drivers Call For Safety Regulations as Yet Another Driver Is Shot on the Job

Drivers organized in the Chicago Gig Alliance say their ordinance will protect driver safety

Press advisory: TODAY, Thursday, January 4, 2024
Contact: Lori Simmons, 773-217-8291 or loriann@thepeopleslobbyusa.org

A rideshare driver was critically injured in an attempted carjacking in Chicago at 10:10pm last night. 

Chicago police said the 51-year-old driver was approached by three men after dropping off a passenger. The men took his phone and shot him in the chest when he refused to get out of his car. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

“There is an epidemic of driver assault in Chicago,” said Lori Simmons, Uber/Lyft driver and lead organizer of Chicago Gig Alliance. “There were at least two drivers shot and killed just last month that we know of. Drivers are out here losing their lives for less than minimum wage. This needs to stop.” 

A 2022 University of Illinois study found that, between gas, vehicle expenses, and Uber and Lyft’s increasing “take rate,” or the percentage these corporations take from each fare, the average Chicago driver makes less than minimum wage for their work. There is currently no cap on Uber and Lyft’s take rate.

Drivers united in Chicago Gig Alliance are working to pass the Rideshare Living Wage and Safety Ordinance, also known as the Fair Share Ordinance, to correct these issues. 

“I love my job, but it’s hard to keep doing it when Uber and Lyft make it so clear that they don’t have our backs,” said Beto Casas, who has been driving since 2018. “The safety issues we’re facing are getting worse and worse. Our pay is getting worse and worse. We tried to work with the corporations to get them to address these problems, but it’s clear that the only way things are going to change is if we change the laws.” 

28 aldermen have signed onto the Fair Share Ordinance so far.

Background: Chicago is facing a safety, pay, and deactivation crisis

A 2021 University of Illinois study found that drivers make an average of $13 per hour in the Chicago area. 

Recent research from The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), the Chicago Gig Alliance, and The People’s Lobby found that 74 percent of Illinois drivers surveyed reported experiencing threats, harassment, or assaults in the last year, higher rates than nationally. 

Through this crisis, community members are joining in this fight, including 50+ public health practitioners in Illinois calling on Chicago’s Aldermen to protect drivers. 

The Chicago Rideshare Living Wage & Safety Ordinance, introduced by Alderman Mike Rodriguez, and backed by 28 Aldermen, would provide the drivers who move Chicagoans safely through the City new protections from unfair deactivation. The ordinance would also support drivers in earning predictable wages and make ridesharing platforms safer for drivers and riders. 

Chicago Gig Alliance has been organizing workers to win better pay and worker protections since 2019, and is a project of The People’s Lobby.

Rideshare Drivers Call for Safety Regulations as Yet Another Driver Is Shot on the Job

Press advisory: TODAY, Thursday, January 4, 2024

Contact: Lori Simmons, 773-217-8291 or loriann@thepeopleslobbyusa.org

Drivers organized in the Chicago Gig Alliance say their ordinance will protect driver safety

A rideshare driver was critically injured in an attempted carjacking in Chicago at 10:10 p.m. last night. 

Chicago police said the 51-year-old driver was approached by three men after dropping off a passenger. The men took his phone and shot him in the chest when he refused to get out of his car. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

“There is an epidemic of driver assault in Chicago,” said Lori Simmons, Uber/Lyft driver and lead organizer of Chicago Gig Alliance. “There were at least two drivers shot and killed just last month that we know of. Drivers are out here losing their lives for less than minimum wage. This needs to stop.” 

A 2022 University of Illinois study found that, between gas, vehicle expenses, and Uber and Lyft’s increasing “take rate,” or the percentage these corporations take from each fare, the average Chicago driver makes less than minimum wage for their work. There is currently no cap on Uber and Lyft’s take rate.

Drivers united in Chicago Gig Alliance are working to pass the Rideshare Living Wage and Safety Ordinance, also known as the Fair Share Ordinance, to correct these issues. 

“I love my job, but it’s hard to keep doing it when Uber and Lyft make it so clear that they don’t have our backs,” said Beto Casas, who has been driving since 2018. “The safety issues we’re facing are getting worse and worse. Our pay is getting worse and worse. We tried to work with the corporations to get them to address these problems, but it’s clear that the only way things are going to change is if we change the laws.” 

28 aldermen have signed onto the Fair Share Ordinance so far.

Background:
Chicago is facing a safety, pay, and deactivation crisis

A 2021 University of Illinois study found that drivers make an average of $13 per hour in the Chicago area. 

Recent research from The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), the Chicago Gig Alliance, and The People’s Lobby found that 74 percent of Illinois drivers surveyed reported experiencing threats, harassment, or assaults in the last year, higher rates than nationally. 

Through this crisis, community members are joining in this fight, including 50+ public health practitioners in Illinois calling on Chicago’s Aldermen to protect drivers. 

The Chicago Rideshare Living Wage & Safety Ordinance, introduced by Alderman Mike Rodriguez, and backed by 28 Aldermen, would provide the drivers who move Chicagoans safely through the City new protections from unfair deactivation. The ordinance would also support drivers in earning predictable wages and make ridesharing platforms safer for drivers and riders. 

Chicago Gig Alliance has been organizing workers to win better pay and worker protections since 2019, and is a project of The People’s Lobby.

UPDATE: Brother and Sister of Slain Driver to Speak at Rideshare Driver Action

Rideshare Drivers, Aldermen Bring the Holiday Spirit to Uber Despite Uber’s Scrooge-like Behavior

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: December 13, 2023

Contact: Deana Rutherford | 773-230-8112 or Emilio Vicente | 919 -360-4512

Chicago – As people celebrate the holiday season, Uber and Lyft drivers with Chicago Gig Alliance, along with Alderman Chris Taliaferro (Ward 29) and Alderman Julia Ramirez (Ward 12) will gather at The Uber Greenlight Hub for a Christmas-themed action with carols, costumes, and a naughty and nice list to call Uber out for its ongoing refusal to meet drivers’ needs for safety, fair pay, and an end to unfair deactivations. Uber’s unwillingness to provide for its workers’ needs hits even harder at Christmastime, as the corporation rolls out Christmas gimmicks like reindeer-shaped delivery robots and Christmas-themed party buses while failing to adequately respond to calls for basic worker protections.

Uber drivers will continue their call for Chicago’s City Council to pass the Chicago Rideshare Living Wage and Safety Ordinance as soon as possible. The ordinance would ensure that drivers, in particular drivers of color, have dignity, stability, and fairness on the job. 

The brother and sister of Mohammed al Hejoj, a Chicago driver who drove for Uber and other services and was shot and killed while driving earlier this month, will speak at the event to amplify the demand that rideshare app companies provide for the safety of their drivers by requiring passengers to verify their identities.

Who: Uber and Lyft drivers united in Chicago Gig Alliance,, Alderman Christopher Taliaferro (Ward 29), Alderwoman Julia Ramirez (Ward 12), the siblings of Mohammad al Hijoj, community members in support of drivers

What: Christmas-themed action with carols, costumes, and a naughty and nice list to demonstrate Uber’s greed and lack of holiday spirit

When: Thursday, December 14 at 12 PM CT

Where: Uber Hub, 1401 W North Ave, Chicago

Background: Chicago is facing a safety and deactivation crisis

Uber and Lyft conducted nearly 10,000 deactivations since 2020, with almost 4,000 driver accounts permanently deactivated in 2022, according to Chicago city data analyzed in a recent report by the Chicago Gig Alliance and The People’s Lobby. Uber and Lyft have shut out of work thousands of drivers, often with little explanation or recourse. 

Recent research from The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), the Chicago Gig Alliance, and The People’s Lobby found that 74 percent of Illinois drivers surveyed reported experiencing threats, harassment, or assaults in the last year, higher rates than nationally. 

Through this crisis, community members are joining in this fight, including 50+ public health practitioners in Illinois calling on Chicago’s Aldermen to protect drivers. 

The Chicago Rideshare Living Wage & Safety Ordinance, introduced by Alderman Mike Rodriguez, and backed by 28 Aldermen, would provide the drivers who move Chicagoans safely through the City new protections from unfair deactivation. The ordinance would also support drivers in earning predictable wages and make ridesharing platforms safer for drivers and riders. 

Elected officials urge Congressional Democrats to stand up to corporate lobbying by passing the Build Back Better Agenda

New report exposes corporate push to derail popular agenda

Media advisory: Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Contact: Deana Rutherford, 773-230-8112 or deana@thepeopleslobbyusa.org

What: Elected officials at the local, county, and state levels will hold a press conference in front of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Chicago headquarters to urge Congressional Democrats to stand with their constituents against corporate attempts to dodge taxes and derail President Biden’s Build Back Better plan. 

When and where: 9:00am – 9:20am, Wednesday, September 29, 300 E. Randolph. This is a part of a national day of action, with 25 People’s Action affiliates participating.

Why: For months, corporations like Blue Cross, Blue Shield have spent millions lobbying Congress to weaken the Build Back Better plan. According to Behind the Curtain: The Corporate Plot to Upend Democracy, a report that will be released at the press conference, Blue Cross Blue Shield is fifth on the list of top corporate lobbyists in 2021, spending more than $12 million urging members of Congress to allow them to continue to weasel out of paying their fair share in taxes. The new incriminating report, authored by People’s Action and Demos, reveals the depths of corporate disruption to President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. Rather than allowing BCBS to hide their profits in a tax shelter or distribute them among wealthy shareholders, the Build Back Better plan would use that money to create millions of jobs by expanding health care, green energy, housing, and climate protection. Read the report here.

“I got into this work because I believe in government’s role in healing: healing the lives of our residents, disinvested communities, and even our planet. It’s sad, then, in this time of climate devastation, to see rich corporations like Blue Cross Blue Shield leave behind its work of healing in favor of seducing our federal representatives into ignoring their duty to their constituents. We need every Democrat in Congress to muster up the courage to pass the Build Back Better agenda, and to fund it by finally standing up to the super-rich and corporations like BCBS,” said Daniel La Spata, alderman of the first ward.

Who: Elected officials including Aldermen Daniel La Spata, Rossana Rodriguez, Byron Sigcho Lopez, Andre Vasquez, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Michael Rodriguez, and Matt Martin, County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, State Representatives Will Guzzardi and Delia Ramirez, State Senators Robert Peters and Mike Simmons, and community leaders from The People’s Lobby, Jane Addams Senior Caucus, One Northside, and Fair Economy Illinois.

Follow along on Twitter and Facebook Live. Media outlets have permission to use the livestream in broadcasts.

Communications Director

Posted August 2021

The People’s Lobby is a membership-driven organization of people across the Chicago region that work together to build widespread support for public policies and candidates – including people from our communities – that put racial and gender justice and the needs of people and the planet before the interests of corporations and the very rich.

We train leaders to build bases in our communities, organize support for progressive legislation, elect candidates and take direct action to pressure elected officials and other powerful people to act in our best interests.

Powerful stories move us to action, challenge our ideas about how the world works and expand our ideas about what is possible. The Communications Director is responsible for ensuring staff and leaders tell powerful stories about our issue and electoral campaigns that inspire our members to take action, reach new audiences with our worldview and ideas, and put pressure on elected officials and other power brokers to act in our best interests.

Leadership in the political education of staff, members and other audiences

The People’s Lobby is committed to organizing a multi-racial working class base in order to challenge and dismantle the system of racial capitalism. In racial capitalism wealthy people, who are overwhelmingly white, gain wealth, profit and power from the exploitation and oppression of working class and poor people of all colors. Black, Indigenous, other people of color and women are exploited and oppressed more intensely under racial capitalism, which also makes it difficult to build the multiracial working class power we need to win the universal rights and public goods we all need. Racial and gender inequality are built into the structure of the economy. And race, class and gender inequality are also advanced through government policies and cultural norms. 

The stories and messages we tell should address the intersection of race, class and gender to help build the multiracial base we need to win. They should also help our members and audiences understand the root causes of our problems, our theory of change, and motivate them to action. 

Strategic leadership on issue and electoral campaigns

Organizing staff and member-leaders are primarily responsible for cutting and running issue campaigns, making electoral endorsements and executing field work in support of endorsed candidates. The Communications Director is responsible for ensuring every issue and electoral campaign has a core message and a communications strategy, either by doing this work directly or by training, supporting and agitating staff and leaders to develop their communications skills.

The communications director should be able to do, and work with others to do, the following:

  • Develop communications and digital organizing strategies to build our people and money power and put pressure on our campaign targets
  • Develop powerful messages and stories 
  • Develop and maintain relationships with members of the press and get earned media coverage of issue and electoral campaign work

Move our messages to hundreds of thousands of people by overseeing and improving the organization’s communication infrastructure, including:

  • Relationships with reporters who cover our issues and politics, as well as assignment editors at TV/Radio news desk
  • Social media channels on platforms used by our members 
  • Digital strategies and advertising campaigns to reach potential members with our message and opportunities to take action
  • Website
  • Email list
  • Customer Relationship Management Tool (CRM)
  • Time sensitive print and digital materials like annual reports and campaign demands
  • Other as needed

Other organizational leadership:

This is a senior level position at The People’s Lobby. We are seeking someone who demonstrates commitment to

  • The methodology of the organization, including clarity about your own stake (or self-interest) in our work, a commitment to regular reflection and risk taking, and a willingness to agitate and be agitated about overcoming personal obstacles to effective leadership.
  • Work with senior staff team to develop overall organizational strategy
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion 
  • Working as a team and developing the leadership of others
  • Raising money for the organization 

Qualifications:

  • Capable of supervising part-time or temporary communications contractors and training, supporting, and holding accountable junior organizing staff for executing key communications tasks for their issue campaigns 
  • Demonstrated success in working with people from diverse race, class and gender identities
  • Demonstrated success in working with volunteers to complete group projects
  • Demonstrated success using social media tools to bring new people into an issue or electoral campaign or as organization members
  • Demonstrated success getting mainstream media coverage
  • Ability to create simple, compelling messages and stories about complex ideas and issue campaigns

Salary range: $65,000-$70,000 depending on experience plus employer-paid health and dental and 3% retirement contribution.

To apply: Email cover letter and resume to Kristi Sanford at kristi@thepeopleslobbyusa.org with subject line “Communications Director Application”.

Gig workers support city ordinance to improve worker pay and safety, control surge pricing for passengers, and hold rideshare companies accountable

For immediate release: Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Contact: Lori Simmons, 1-217-721-7527, loriann@thepeopleslobbyusa.org

Across Chicago, gig workers have united in anger about lack of safety and living wages on the job.

Chicago, IL — At the City Council meeting on Friday, June 25, Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward will introduce TNP Ordinance O2021-2877 to provide a living wage, better app security, and city oversight over deactivations for Chicago’s rideshare drivers, officially called TNP (Transportation Network Provider) drivers.

Lori Simmons, an organizer with The People’s Lobby, says, “We are excited that Alderman Reilly is motivated to provide protections for gig workers. We have been on the frontlines keeping the economy open throughout the pandemic, all while Uber and Lyft continually lowered our pay and did nothing to keep us safe on the job.”

Having spoken to thousands of gig workers around Chicago and the suburbs, Mike Crissman, a rideshare driver and member of The People’s Lobby, can confirm that an ordinance like this is what workers need. “Thankfully I am okay because of the divider I installed during COVID, but I was nearly carjacked two weeks ago,’ says Crissman. “It was a terrifying experience, and so many of us are afraid to drive. We need a comprehensive measure that will protect drivers and hold companies accountable to paying us what we deserve.”

“Included in this ordinance is a 25% cap on how much money the company can keep from a driver’s fare, a higher rate of pay, a public assistance fund for drivers, an appeals process for drivers who have been deactivated and stiff penalties for false accusations against drivers. To address safety, the ordinance will require passenger identification for all accounts, as well as mandating information be entered for passengers having a ride requested on their behalf. We need this to be comprehensive, and that’s what we will fight for from the grassroots,” says Brittany Spencer, a gig worker and member of The People’s Lobby.

“I was cut off from using the Uber app permanently when I was falsely accused of being intoxicated. I was never given the chance to prove my innocence or file an appeal, and essentially lost my job due to an unsubstantiated claim from a rider. This is not right. There needs to be accountability and transparency,” says Maurice Clark, a People’s Lobby member and rideshare driver. 

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As Pandemic Holiday Hardships Continue Illinois Legislators Call for New Progressive Revenue to Avoid Cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Contact Kristi Sanford, 773-456-4024 or kristi@thepeopleslobbyusa.org

Springfield Can Close Billions of Dollars in Tax Loopholes and Giveaways To  Preserve Essential Services

Earlier this week Governor Pritzker announced over $700 million dollars in cuts to this year’s state budget, the tip of the iceberg of potential cuts. As families across Illinois struggle through a pandemic and recession, cuts to essential community services and government responsibilities will do irreparable harm to working and middle class families. Instead, state senators and representatives from across Illinois are calling on their colleagues and Gov. Pritzker to work together to close billions of dollars in tax loopholes and giveaways so that we can preserve essential services. 

WHAT: Virtual press conference

WHEN: 9:00am, December 17th

WHERE:  Virtual press conference on zoom. Attendees must register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqdO6srjksEtBek8R_xRhyTYkllhxWmIY1

WHO:  State Sen. Andy Manar (IL-48)

State Rep. Will Guzzardi (IL-39), Co-Chair, House Progressive Caucus

State Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-4), Secretary, House Progressive Caucus

State Sen. Robert Peters (IL-13), Chair, Senate Black Caucus

State Rep. Dan Didech (IL-59)

State Sen. Ram Villivalam (IL-8)

Rep. Lakesia Collins (IL-9)

Rep. Bob Morgan (IL-58)

Rep. Elect. Dagmara Avelar (IL-85)

Illinois residents experiencing hardship resulting from the pandemic and recession 

Clergy, Community Organizers Unveil “Budget for Black Lives”

Divesting $157 million from the Cook County Jail to Invest in Community Wellbeing

COOK COUNTY, IL

What: Clergy, community organizers and policy experts will hold a press conference to release a well-researched Cook County Budget for Black Lives that makes the case for increasing community safety and reducing harm to Black communities caused by policing and incarceration. The budget divests from the Cook County jail and invests $157 million in healthcare, housing, restorative justice, broadband for all, and good jobs.

When and Where: 10:30 am on Wednesday, September, 9, 2020, corner of Ogden & Damen, outside Stroger Hospital (near 1969 Ogden Ave). A live stream can also be viewed on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/peopleslobbyusa/videos/709122519642918

Why: There is no proven correlation between policing and safety, yet Cook County spends more than $600 million annually on racist systems of policing and incarceration that harm Black, Brown and poor communities.

Investing in people, not punishment, will make everyone safer. Real community safety is achieved with good jobs, safe and affordable housing, excellent schools, robust public transit and universal access to essential health services.

By taking money away from the Cook County Jail, we can reduce harm and invest in ways that allow Black, Brown, and poor communities to thrive.

Speakers will also address the fact that Cook County Health has proposed cuts to its 2021 budget of $55 million to deal with the deficit caused by COVID-19. “At a time when thousands of people – especially Black people – are dying as a result of the pandemic, we must address budget challenges by cutting money to systems of policing and incarceration that cause harm rather than the public health system that saves lives,” says Rev. Charles Straight from The People’s Lobby.

Who: The campaign, called “Budget for Black Lives: Defund the Cook County Jail, Invest in our Communities”, is a coalition of The People’s Lobby, SOUL – Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, Chicago Community Bond Fund, National Nurses United, and the Shriver Center on Poverty Law.

Forty-three (43) additional organizations officially support the Justice for Black Lives resolution sponsored by Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, and more than 300 community leaders and impacted people submitted testimony in support of the “Justice for Black Lives” resolution at the Criminal Justice Committee hearing.

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Criminal Justice Committee passes “Justice for Black Lives” resolution calling for diversion of money from the jail system to supportive services

Media Advisory: Thursday, July 30, 2020

Contact: Kristi Sanford, 773-456-4024 or kristi@thepeopleslobbyusa.org

Criminal Justice Committee passes “Justice for Black Lives” resolution calling for diversion of money from the jail system to supportive services

Organizers expect passage by the full Cook County Board of Commissioners Thursday, July 30th

What: Press conference praising the expected passage of the Justice for Black Lives resolution by the full Cook County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, July 30, 2020. The criminal justice committee — a committee of the whole board — passed the resolution 16-1 on Monday, July 27.

When: Thursday, July 30, 2020, 4:30 pm 

Where: 50 W Washington Ave., Chicago, outside the Richard J Daley Center

Who: Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and representatives from the campaign’s leading organizations: The People’s Lobby, SOUL – Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, Chicago Community Bond Fund, National Nurses United, and the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. 

Forty-three (43) additional organizations officially support the Justice for Black Lives resolution, and more than 300 community leaders and impacted people submitted testimony in support of the resolution at Monday’s Criminal Justice Committee hearing.

Why: The Justice for Black Lives resolution calls on the county to divert money from the jail system to be invested in supportive services — not administered by law enforcement — in Black and Brown communities. The county has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue due to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Cutting funding from a massively over-funded jail system can help Cook County avoid cuts to healthcare and other community services desperately needed during a global pandemic. Cook County Commissioners are now beginning the process of 2021 budget negotiations.

Each year, Cook County spends more than $600 million on incarceration through the Cook County Sheriff’s budget, which includes sheriff’s police, the Cook County Jail, and more. Although the jail population had gone down by more than 50% since 2013, the budget for the jail has actually increased by 26%. If the jail budget had gone down proportionally to the number of people locked up, we would have $117 million more for other public services in Cook County.

“Across the globe, people are demanding investment and dignity as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. We must heed that call and shift our focus as a society away from criminalization and incarceration toward preventive investment measures. Black people need jobs that pay a living wage, affordable housing and universal healthcare,” Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson said. “We deserve a community where the jail is not the largest mental health services provider in the county.  We must change this dynamic so that our people receive essential services without having to be inmates at the Cook County Jail.”

“The Black community has dealt with decades of devastation caused by police violence and mass incarceration, and now COVID-19 has triggered a health crisis and an economic crisis,” said Rev. Charles Straight of The People’s Lobby. “It would be irresponsible for the County to balance its budget by cutting health care, mental health, public defenders, housing, and other services at this moment. We need to expand these services and instead cut the budgets of the Cook County Jail and Cook County Sheriff.”

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Activists Urge Cook County Commissioners to Defund the Cook County Jail, Hold Car Caravan and Rally at 27th and California

Media Advisory: Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Contact: Kristi Sanford, 773-456-4624 or kristi@thepeopleslobbyusa.org 

Activist Urge Cook County Commissioners to Defund the Cook County Jail, Hold Car Caravan and Rally at 27th and California

What: Car caravan and physically distant rally calling on the Cook County Board of Commissioners to divest from Cook County Jail and to invest in strengthening social services the county provides, including housing, health care and mental health services, and restorative justice. This will coincide with the introduction of a resolution by Commissioner Brandon Johnson at the Cook County Board meeting that will begin at 10:00 am.

When and Where: Thursday, June 18 — Car caravan starts at 9:45 am. Physically distant rally with speakers starts at 10:30 am in the grassy median at 2700 S. California.

Who: This action is being organized by SOUL – Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, The People’s Lobby, National Nurses United, and Chicago Community Bond Fund with the endorsement of Black Lives Matter Chicago, Circles & Ciphers, Chicago Torture Justice Center, Community Renewal Society, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, GoodKids MadCity, A Just Harvest, the #LetUsBreathe Collective, Free Write Sound & Vision, Love & Protect, Black Eutopia, Osiris Khepera, Community Cave, The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine, & AirGo.

Why: Each year, Cook County spends more than $600 million each year supporting a racist system of policing and incarceration through the Cook County Sheriff’s budget, which includes sheriff’s police, the Cook County Jail, and more. Although the jail population had gone down by more than 50% since 2013, the budget for the jail has actually increased by 26%. If the jail budget had gone down proportionally to the number of people locked up, we would have $117 million more for other public services in Cook County.

Social Media Details: Find the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/868768570268254/ and search #DefundCCJ on Twitter to follow along. 

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For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 18, 2020

Contact: Kristi Sanford, 773-456-4624 or kristi@thepeopleslobbyusa.org 

Communities Urge Cook County Commissioners to Defund the Cook County Jail,

Hold Car Caravan and Rally at 27th and California

Chicago, IL — Building on the momentum of the movement to defund police and invest money in Black and Brown communities, activists will hold a car caravan on Thursday, June 18 at 9:45 am and a foot rally at 10:30 am at 2700 S. California urging Cook County Commissioners to take money out of the Cook County Jail and invest in housing, mental health services and other things that actually make communities safer

“Every year, thousands of people are incarcerated in Cook County Jail only because they can’t afford to pay a money bond. Wealth-based pretrial incarceration is unacceptable in Cook County. We must continue to reduce the number of people in Cook County Jail and reduce the Cook County Jail’s budget accordingly. It is time for Cook County to divest from the jail and invest in our communities,” said Malik Alim, Campaign Coordinator for Chicago Community Bond Fund.

This rally coincides with the introduction of the “Justice for Black Lives” resolution by Commissioner Brandon Johnson, broadly supporting organizers’ demands. “There is no correlation between the money spent on the criminal justice system and the safety of our residents. In fact, as spending on police and incarceration has gone up over the last decade, Black and Brown people actually feel less safe,” Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson said. “It’s past time to redirect the hundreds of millions of dollars we spend on the failed, racist system of policing and criminalization into services and programs that will actually promote and protect the health and welfare of our communities.”

Each year, Cook County spends more than $600 million supporting a racist system of policing and incarceration through the Cook County Sheriff’s budget, which includes sheriff’s police, the Cook County Jail, and more. Although the jail population had gone down by more than 50% since 2013, the budget for the jail has actually increased by 26%. If the jail budget had gone down proportionally to the number of people locked up, we would have $117 million more for other public services in Cook County.

“Most crime and violence happens because people don’t have good paying jobs and other resources that allow them to support their families,” says Pastor Erik Christensen, a leader with The People’s Lobby. “Racist economic policies like refusing to lend money to Black homebuyers and business owners and putting jobs in white communities has left Black and Brown communities struggling to survive. Jail is not the solution. Investment in Black and Brown communities is what we need.”

A just future is one in which we spend our resources on the things that actually create community health and safety. Instead of pouring more and more money each year into violent and racist policing and incarceration, we must invest it in housing, health care, mental health services, living wage jobs, public transportation, and restorative justice.

This action is being organized by SOUL – Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, The People’s Lobby, National Nurses United, and Chicago Community Bond Fund with the endorsement of Black Lives Matter Chicago, Circles & Ciphers, Chicago Torture Justice Center, Community Renewal Society, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, GoodKids MadCity, A Just Harvest, the #LetUsBreathe Collective, Free Write Sound & Vision, Love & Protect, Black Eutopia, Osiris Khepera, Community Cave, The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine, & AirGo.

Find the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/868768570268254/ and search #DefundCCJ on Twitter to follow along.