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.

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.

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. 

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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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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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. 

Media Advisory: Wednesday, July 15

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

With no new COVID relief in sight, constituents ask: “Where’s Senator Durbin?”

July 31 deadline looms: Eviction moratoriums, weekly $600 unemployment boost to expire

Tens of millions have NO HEALTH CARE during the pandemic

Black and Latinx people CONTINUE TO FALL ILL AND DIE in outsized numbers

WHAT: Demonstration asking “Where’s Senator Durbin? We need a People’s Bailout NOW!” Without guaranteed healthcare, housing and monthly cash assistance for everyone, Americans could be looking at a future worse than the Great Depression. 

WHEN AND WHERE: Wednesday, July 15 at 4PM CDT. Chicago’s Federal Plaza, corner of Dearborn and Adams. Facebook event here. 

WHY: Senator Durbin is the Democratic Whip and the second most powerful Democratic Senator in America. Senator Durbin should be at the forefront of the fight for a People’s Bailout that addresses racial disparities and guarantees healthcare, housing and financial relief for people, not corporations. Congress has passed 4 relief bills, but only one has given aid directly to individuals and families, and key aspects expire July 31, including the weekly $600 boost to unemployment insurance and the local ban on evictions.

Although Senator Durbin does support extending the weekly $600 boost to unemployment insurance, extending the moratorium on evictions, and some rental assistance funding, he isn’t fighting for the scale of relief we need: guaranteed healthcare, housing and monthly cash assistance for everyone! 

Instead of providing healthcare for everyone, Senator Durbin talks about increasing funding for corporate hospitals. How can you be against Medicare for All during a global pandemic? And while a bloc of progressive Senators supports $2,000 a month for everyone for the duration of the pandemic, Senator Durbin has been also silent on monthly financial support for individuals.

Facebook event here. Follow #WheresDurbin and #PeoplesBailout on Twitter and Facebook.

VISUALS: “Where’s Waldo?” signs with Durbin’s face.  Giant calendar, counting the days until local eviction moratoriums and the weekly $600 unemployment boost expire. Giant pill bottles, with our “People’s Bailout” Rx of health care, rent/mortgage relief and monthly cash payments. Tent city to illustrate looming eviction crisis. Moment of silence with tombstones highlighting the deadly consequences to millions uninsured.

WHO: People directly impacted by the health and economic crises caused by COVID-19. Organized by Fair Economy Illinois, this demonstration is part of a national week of action by People’s Action member organizations calling for a “People’s Bailout”. 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:  Time is running out for the Senate to pass another COVID-19 relief package that serves people, rather than corporations, and is large enough to keep the economy from sliding into a long-term depression. It is also an issue of racial justice:

• Black and Latinx people are three times more likely to contract the virus than whites and twice as likely to die.
• Tens of millions people have lost their jobs and health care. COVID related unemployment for Black workers is 4.5 points higher than whites. Latinos are at 5 points higher.
• Millions more who were unemployed before this crisis also need cash assistance. Even last year, as the national jobless rate fell below 4 percent to its lowest level in half a century, the rate for black men in Illinois was nearly 10 percent.
• The extra $600 per week in COVID-19 unemployment benefits also expires on July 31. 
• Chicago’s and Illinois’ moratoriums on evictions ends on July 31. 

Previous stimulus packages — including the HEROES ACT sent to the Senate by the House of Representatives on Friday, May 15 — fall far short of addressing people’s needs. 

Several bill in Congress would provide large-scale and long-term relief that puts all people before corporations, including:

• Medicare to every uninsured person (H.R. 6674 – Medicare Crisis Program Act of 2020. Senate – Emergency Health Care Guarantee Act)
• Cancelation of rents and mortgages for the duration of the crisis (HR 6515 The Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020. There is not a Senate version of this bill.)
• Cash assistance of $2,000 a month to every person. (H.R.6553 – Automatic Boost to Communities Act. Senate – Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act)

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For immediate release: March 17, 2020
Contact: Kristi Sanford, kristi@thepeopleslobbyusa.org or 773-456-4024

A progressive message wins key Cook County races: Commitments to criminal justice reform, Medicare for All and green jobs propel Kim Foxx, Marie Newman to victory

Cook County, IL — “Voters really responded to a vision of safety and security that comes from universal health care, paid family and sick leave, more funding for schools and public universities, living wage jobs and rather than more policing and incarceration,” says Will Tanzman, Executive Director of The People’s Lobby.

In the weeks leading up to the election, The People’s Lobby made more than made well over 150,000 dials and door knocks resulting in more than 11,000 conversations with voters and sent 85,000 texts about endorsed candidates. More than 100,000 voters watched social media ads where our members shared why they supported Kim Foxx, in particular. Voter contact work about Kim Foxx was done in partnership with Vote Liberation.

The People’s Lobby had conversations with 2,000 voters about Marie Newman for Congress in Illinois’ 3rd District in the past 5 months and a total of more than 6,000 conversations in the past two and a half years.

We also invested heavily in talking to voters about State Senator Robert Peters in Illinois’ 13th District.

“By leading with our values and issue priorities, we were able to have conversations about as many as three or four candidates in a single voter conversation,” says Marta Popadiak, Organizing Director of The People’s Lobby. “In Chicago’s eleventh ward, we asked voters to support Bernie Sanders, Kim Foxx, Marie Newman and State Representative Theresa Mah.”

Regarding Kim Foxx’s Victory:

“This is a huge victory for the people of Cook County and for the entire criminal justice reform movement. Kim Foxx is absolutely a champion of justice for the people,” says April Friendly of The People’s Lobby. “Cook County has been known for our record number of wrongful convictions, but tonight we re-elected a state’s attorney who is working openly and unapologetically with the community to fight back against racist practices and policies that perpetuate mass incarceration. The People’s Lobby’s conversations with more than 9,600 voters, in partnership with Vote Liberation, played a big role in defeating a billionaire who tried to buy the office for his son.”

Regarding Marie Newman’s Victory:

“After several months of talking to voters about Marie’s support for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal and immigrant’s rights, it feels great to know someone who shares our values will be representing us in Congress,” says Annie Jacobs, a member of The People’s Lobby. “But our work doesn’t end on Election Day. We’ll be supporting and holding Marie accountable to fighting for these things in Washington.”

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 big corporations and the very rich.

Learn more at https://www.thepeopleslobbyusa.org/. View our entire list of 2020 primary endorsements here: https://www.thepeopleslobbyusa.org/endorsements/