Legislative Action Team
The Legislative Action Team focuses on Illinois legislative activity relevant to UU values and our social justice work. Our team stays abreast of emerging legislation, and reaches out actively, often in person, to the District Senators and Representatives who represent members of the UCE congregation. In alliance with the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI), we seek to influence legislation to positively impact marginalized populations. For example, we have advocated for increased funding for immigrant resettlement, the passage of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act, the Protect Illinois Communities Act (banning assault weapons manufacture and sale), and environmental bills.
The Legislative Action Team meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm to get updated on legislative developments and determine action plans for communicating with our legislators. Our team welcomes new members! We also encourage all UCE members and friends to sign up to receive periodic invitations to join us in our meetings with legislators (we provide the bullet points – so no stress!)
Contact: Dennis Wilson, Jane Bannor or Margaret Shaklee through the REALM Membership Directory or at admin@ucevanston.org.
Legislative Advocacy Groups
We currently have active Legislative Advocacy Working Groups for state senators in Districts 7, 8, 9 and 29 and for State Representatives in Districts 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 58.
If you would like to join an existing advocacy group or if you would like to start one in your district, please contact Dennis Wilson, Jane Bannor or Margaret Shaklee through the REALM Membership Directory or at admin@ucevanston.org.
News & Updates
UCE Organizing Team actions – CRS, Prison Ministry, UUANI, Green Team
UCE has a new, more unified approach to organizing for justice – we are using the reconstituted UCE Organizing Team to organize turnout for many UCE social justice events, including CRS, UUANI, Green Team, Prison Ministry, REAL Team, etc. Here are some events to know about:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) – This Tuesday, May 9th join Community Renewal Society for our annual mass trip to the capitol. We have a bus leaving from UCE at 6 a.m., returning about 7 p.m. Contact Dale Griffin or Doug Erickson for more information or to RSVP! This year’s action will focus on employment opportunities for people with records, violence prevention, implementing the Fair Cops Ordinance in Chicago, and resolving the budget impasse fairly.
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois held a workshop on “Radical Hospitality” April 22 at UCE, on welcoming returning citizens at church and partnering with them to transition into life outside of prison. To be involved with this project please contact Dale Griffin.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) is supporting the UU Prison Ministry as part of UUANI’s racial justice work. A bill to limit the use of solitary confinement may be nearing a vote in the Illinois House. Almost 150 witness slips from UUANI supporters and others helped get the bill out of committee last month, and a recent successful lobby day netted another six co-sponsors. Help push this bill over the top by emailing and, if possible, calling your representatives. Click this link to send an email and find your representative’s phone number to call in support of HB 259, the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act: http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51510/c/321/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=21967
The Green Team and organizing team encouraged UCE participation in the April 22 March for Science and the April 29 People’s Climate March. Thanks to all who participated.
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
News from CRS, UU Prison Ministry, UUANI
Actions you can participate in with CRS, UU Prison Ministry, and UUANI:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) – This year’s actions will focus on employment opportunities for people with records, violence prevention, implementing the Fair Cops Ordinance in Chicago, and resolving the budget impasse fairly. Join Community Renewal Society for our annual mass trip to the capitol on May 9, 2017 to advocate for these issues. Contact Dale Griffin or Doug Erickson for more information or to RSVP!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is planning a teach-in on supporting legislation reducing the use of solitary confinement in Illinois, in April, date TBD. Scheduled is a workshop on “Radical Hospitality” April 22 at UCE, on welcoming returning citizens at church and partnering with them to transition into life outside of prison. RSVP Dale Griffin or Steve Serikaku.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) has begun an “action of the week” in this time of rapid change due to the recent election. This week’s issue is the new executive order on immigration. To receive notifications please contact Scott Aaseng or Dale Griffin. Thank you.
UUANI will lead a workshop in conjunction with the MidAmerica Regional UUA Assembly at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale on Friday, April 28, 1-5 p.m.
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
News from CRS, UU Prison Ministry, UUANI
Actions you can participate in with CRS, UU Prison Ministry, and UUANI:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) – This year’s actions will focus on employment opportunities for people with records, violence prevention, implementing the Fair Cops Ordinance in Chicago, and resolving the budget impasse fairly. Join Community Renewal Society for our annual mass trip to the capitol on May 9, 2017 to advocate for these issues. Contact Dale Griffin or Doug Erickson for more information or to RSVP!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois will celebrate its progress and new website and newsletter with a party at UCE on February 18 at 7:00. Please contact Doug Erickson for information. Also go with us THIS SUNDAY to the DuPage UU Church in Naperville to see a play at 3:00 “A Day at Stateville” written and performed by people who have been incarcerated, and learn lots about the prison system in Illinois and what we need to understand about it and work toward changing. RSVP Dale Griffin for info or ride sharing.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) has begun an “action of the week” in this time of rapid change due to the recent election. Here is the action, on the IL budget, for this week. It is easy to take this action, so if you agree with the need for a fair Illinois budget now, please do! Thank you.
The Illinois budget is at the top of the state agenda this week, with the Governor delivering his State of the State address and the Senate working on a “grand bargain” compromise. They need to hear from us now to make the difficult choices needed for resolution.
Please call or click here to urge your elected officials to pass a responsible, full year, fully funded budget NOW.
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
News from CRS, UUANI, UU Prison Ministry
Actions you can participate in with CRS, UU Prison Ministry, and UUANI:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) – This year’s actions will focus on employment opportunities for people with records, violence prevention, implementing the Fair Cops Ordinance in Chicago, and resolving the budget impasse fairly. Some UCE members have met with Senator Biss and Representative Gabel to urged action on these issues.
Join Community Renewal Society for our Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Faith in Action on Monday, January 16, 2017. Contact Dale Griffin or Doug Erickson for more information or to RSVP today!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois will celebrate its progress and new website and newletter with a party at UCE on February 18 at 7:00. Please contact Doug Erickson for information.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) begins a new year with emphasis on raising the minimum wage (economic justice) and passing anti-solitary confinement legislation (racial justice). We celebrate a victory in passing the Future Energy Jobs Bill (the negotiated version of the IL Clean Jobs Bill) (environmental justice).
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
News from CRS, UUANI, UU Prison Ministry
Actions you can participate in with CRS, UU Prison Ministry, and UUANI:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) held its annual membership assembly on November 12 and several UCE members participated. This year’s actions will focus on violence prevention, jobs in the inner city, employment opportunities for people with records, and implementing the Fair Cops Ordinance in Chicago.
Our Evanston team gathered with CRS teams from congregations in the north suburbs (there are 6 of us) to plan to work together to bring CRS issues forward in our own communities, linking with local community groups addressing like issues. We will continue to meet periodically to strategize and energize. We are meeting with our legislators in December to inform them of the CRS agenda and invite them to the Annual martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Faith in Action in January. Our north suburban legislators have been enthusiastic supporters of CRS.
Join Community Renewal Society for our Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Faith in Action on Monday, January 16, 2017. Contact Dale Griffin for more information or to RSVP today!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is conducting its annual fundraising campaign with individuals who would like this ministry to thrive. You can donate online by clicking “give” on the UCE homepage.
We expect to have a presence in Logan Correctional Facility and Cook County Jail soon, and have begun to help people returning from prison. We are working together on ways to be radically welcoming congregations to those who have been incarcerated.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) begins a new year with emphasis on raising the minimum wage (economic justice), passing a clean jobs Illinois bill (environmental justice) and passing anti-solitary confinement legislation (racial justice).
UUANI recently completed a very successful fundraising campaign, exceeding our goal of $12,000 to complete a package to hire the very energetic Rev. Scott Aaseng as half-time director. UCE folks have been very generous in their support and we are grateful!
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
News from CRS, UUANI, UU Prison Ministry
Progress and preparation for change with CRS, UU Prison Ministry, and UUANI:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) greatly influenced the Chicago police accountability changes passed by the Chicago City Council recently. While it was not everything CRS wanted, it was far better than what the mayor proposed to start, with guaranteed funding for the oversight office and an increased community role in police oversight.
Join Community Renewal Society for our Annual Membership Assembly on Saturday November 12th! Hundreds of people of faith from the member congregations of CRS will gather at St Agatha Catholic Church (3151 W Douglas Blvd) from 8:30am-12:00pm to celebrate our recent victories, learn about the results of our Organizational Listening & Visioning Process, and prepare for our coming year of action! We will celebrate the passage of four pieces of legislation to reduce barriers to employment for people with criminal records in addition to the other victories we accomplished together. Contact Dale Griffin for more information or to RSVP today!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois held a workshop on radical hospitality on October 1 at Countryside Church UU in Palatine, which Dave Conrad, Brian Meister and Michael Skilton attended. This is step toward making our congregations more welcoming and helpful to people returning from prison.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) is our shared plate recipient this month and is conducting a statewide fundraising campaign to support the work of our half time minister, Rev. Scott Aaseng.
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
