BPI is a public interest law and policy center dedicated to addressing compelling issues of social justice and quality of life in the Chicago region.

Police Reform in Chicago: What Will It Take?

Panel Discussion: Getting Real on Police Reform--What Will it Take?
Steve Edwards, Lori Lightfoot, Theron Bowman and Tanya Watkins engage in a lively dialogue about police reform 

Our 2017 Annual Dinner featured an engaging discussion among a diverse panel of experts on what it will take to achieve meaningful police reform in Chicago.  Thanks to Steve Edwards, Executive Director of the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, for moderating the discussion, and to panelists Lori Lightfoot, Chicago Police Board President and Chair  of the Mayor's Task Force on Police Accountability; Theron Bowman, former Police Chief of Arlington, TX; and Tanya Watkins, Acting Executive Director and Lead Organizer of Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL), for sharing their frank and informed insights.  
Proposed Jefferson Park Affordable Housing Development
A rendering of a proposed mixed-income development in Jefferson Park
is a Step in the Right Direction

In recent weeks, a proposed mixed-income housing development in Jefferson Park has come up against vocal opposition from neighbors.  To his credit, Jefferson Park Alderman John Arena has backed the project and six of his fellow aldermen have joined him in pledging their support for more affordable housing on the City's North and Northwest sides.  In a recent editorial, the Chicago Tribune endorsed the project. BPI added its voice in support with a letter to the editor, which appeared in the Chicago Tribune's Voice of the People section.

Pre-K to Kindergarten Transitions Program
Wraps Up Successful Year

The Altgeld-Riverdale Pre-K to Kindergarten Transitions Program year-end celebration on June 8 drew hundreds of students,family members, and teachers who came out for activities, games, and delicious food at the Carver Park fieldhouse.

The Transitions Program, which BPI launched in 2015 in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE), strives to ensure all children living in the Altgeld-Riverdale community enter kindergarten ready to succeed--socially, cognitively, and emotionally--and without anxiety. The Altgeld-Riverdale program is unique in that it includes all students, teachers, parents, and caregivers from all six
pre-k/kindergarten schools and childcare centers in the community--a total of 18 classrooms in four elementary schools and two childcare centers, with some 430 students in all.



Meet Our Summer Interns!

BPI is thrilled to have the energy and talents of four fabulous interns this summer. Law students Anna Jirschele, Jared Jones, and Michael Walker arrived last month, just in time to pitch in with all the last-minute tasks necessary to make our 2017 Annual Dinner a success. University of Chicago undergraduate student Nushrat Jahan comes on board this week.  Each will be actively assisting our program staff in areas related to justice reform, housing, and early childhood education. 

Anna Jirschele, South Barrington, IL
Chicago-Kent College of Law, Class of 2018

Why BPI: I wanted to be involved in public interest work locally. BPI is active in many important areas of public interest from housing to justice reform, so I knew I would have a well-rounded experience. It was also recommended by Chicago-Kent and past interns (whom Adam Gross tells me were bribed!).

Areas of interest: Criminal justice and early childhood education.

Career aspirations: A work in progress, but generally helping to effect change in my community via law and policy

Book on her nightstand:  A Wild Justice: The Death and Resurrection of Capital Punishment in America by Evan J. Mandery

What excites her about summer in Chicago?  Exploring the city's museums and restaurants (recommendations welcome!), and being near a body of water.

Hobbies: Meditation

Fun Fact:  I have a twin brother! And it runs in the family ... my mother has a twin brother, too.


Jared Jones, Denton, TX
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Class of 2019

Why BPI? The issues that BPI works on have had my attention for many years. And while I've gone on no small number of Facebook rants in that time, I've recently felt compelled to put my money where my mouth is and do something that will hopefully have a concrete, positive impact.

Areas of interest : Police accountability and criminal justice reform, particularly related to drug policy

Career aspirations :  I'm still trying to decide exactly what I want to be when I grow up. I'm drawn to big-picture policy work and, since entering law school, have also developed a strong interest in plaintiff-side litigation. I'm hoping my experience with BPI will go a long way toward helping me choose a career path.

Book on his nightstand : Jonathan Harr's  A Civil Action and On the Road by Jack Kerouac

What excites him about summer in Chicago?  I moved to Chicago shortly before the start of my first year of law school. With that now behind me, I'm looking forward to finally having time to explore the city and experience everything that I've been hearing about for the last nine months!

Hobbies: Reading, movies, tennis, volleyball, chess, video games, and a little piano

Fun fact:  For three of my more embarrassing teenage years I sang in a barbershop quartet called 3 Men and a Tenor. Thankfully, I wasn't the tenor.


Michael Walker, Binghamton, NY
University of California, Irvine School of Law, Class of 2019
Why BPI? I worked as a tenant advocate for three years in Albany Park and I admire the transformative work of the BPI housing staff.  I am interested in doing whatever work I can to invest in the city because my partner Jessica and I plan to live here after I graduate from law school.

Areas of interest : Police reform

Career aspirations :  I intend to remain dedicated to serving the public interest, as I was before law school. I plan to practice civil law, and I am especially interested in litigation, but that's all I know right now.

Book on his nightstand :  Numbers in the Dark by Italo Calvino, and  The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation by Natalie Y. Moore

What excites him about summer in Chicago?  After surviving the first of three years in a long-distance relationship, I am excited to be reunited with Jessica and living in East Pilsen. 

Hobbies : I love bike riding, and am currently training for a five day, 300-mile ride in Washington State organized by Food & Water Watch to raise money and awareness about climate change.

Fun fact :  In my early 20s, I worked as a tour guide at the Vatican Museum in Rome.


Nushrat Jahan, Chicago
University of Chicago Class of 2018

Why BPI? I've been debating between whether or not I want my career to be on the legal or policy side of things. BPI is a great way for me to experience what policy research looks like while also working closely with attorneys, especially in areas of public policy that I am particularly passionate about.

Areas of interest: Urban policy in general, with a particular focus on education, immigration, and juvenile justice 

Career aspirations : I am considering going to law school once I graduate from college, and am interested in working in the human rights arena.  

Book on her nightstand: Rain of Gold by Victor Villaseñor

What excites her about summer in Chicago? This is the first summer where both my high school and college friends will be in the city, and I'm excited to be able to spend time with all the people I care about. I'm also looking forward to food festivals, concerts, thrift store adventures, and plenty of weekend trips with family and friends. 

Hobbies: Spoken word poetry and working through my restaurant bucket list. 

Fun Fact:  I own a maroon-colored version of every article of clothing imaginable!  
Just Now is BPI's periodic electronic newsletter. 
Have a question or comment?  Send feedback to BPI Director of Communications Andi Rosen at [email protected]