View as Webpage --------------------- Initiatives We Support ---------------------- June 29, 2020
Greetings!

Please see the following important initiatives and if so moved, answer the COAL Call to Action.

Respectfully,
COAL Board of Directors
   
"The time to work seriously and collectively, to improve the state of our Community, is upon us..."
Let's Get to Work
-COAL strongly supports this relief effort for the Black Community-
Ford Promotes African American Rapid Relief Task Force Proposal for a Governor’s Executive Order

CHICAGO – State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, has proposed an Executive Order from Governor Pritzker which will require the governor to establish an Illinois Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “The Rapid Task Force must have a report to Governor Pritzker in 7 days with direction to sign an Executive Order to have all agencies and his office spend the money to deal with the problems facing black people,” said Ford. More details on the proposed African American Rapid Relief Task Force: 

COAL asks that all of its members reach out to the Governor, using the methods herein to request that Governor Pritzker issue an Executive Order, per Rep. Ford's proposal, to

  • Establish an Illinois Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and

  • Set up an African American Rapid Relief Task Force for Illinois

  • Have the Task Force develop a plan of action within one week and submit to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion said plan to provide relief to African American communities.

COAL commits its experience and expertise to this effort and welcomes participation on the Rapid Relief Task Force.
"We know that this governor can make an Executive Order to redirect monies through rapid relief--if it is in his will. We must demand that he does the right thing. Let us continue to put the word out to our people. We must arise for such a time as this. The urgency of now is upon us."
- Dr. Gale Frazier, Chairman National Black Agenda Consortium Chicago
To contact the Governor:



Constituent Affairs Help Line:
Phone: 217-782-0244

Springfield
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-6830 or
217-782-6831
Chicago
Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-814-2121 or
312-814-2122
-COAL strongly supports the completion of the South Suburban Airport-
South Side Alderman Calls on Community Leaders to Support Completion of the South Suburban Airport at Sat. 6/27 News Conference 

Two reports in as many weeks show the ongoing investment disparities that black communities experience. In a report released by Northwestern University, A Penny on the Dollar: Racial Inequalities in Wealth among Households with Children , it reveals the wealth gap between Black and white families has widened since the Great Recession of 2008. Astonishingly, for every dollar a white family has, black families have only one-cent.

In another report on lending disparities, Where Banks Don’t Lend – 2012 – 2018 , it shows for every dollar banks loan in white neighborhoods, only 12-cents goes into black neighborhoods. Chase Bank, which is the second largest lender in loan dollars made only three loans in the Black middle-class community of Chatham over a six-year period. The giant lender made loans totaling $1 million in the South Side communities of Englewood and West Englewood, while at the same time investing $800 million in Lincoln Park.

This ongoing disinvestment is also why South Side communities have the largest population losses in the city. West Englewood, Englewood, Auburn Gresham and Roseland have lost more than 75,000 residents since 1990.

To stop the exodus of residents, create jobs, attract businesses, stop the violence and generate a tax base, 17 th Ward Alderman David Moore says the South Side must support a project that will help to transform communities like his. That is why he is officially announcing his support of the South Suburban Airport near University Park at a news conference, Saturday, June 27, at 10 a.m., Auburn Gresham Metra Stop, 79 th and Lowe Streets.
 

Chairman Hank Meyer and President Craig Wimberly, on behalf of the COAL Board, have tasked the Jobs and Economic Development Committee, co-chaired by Kevin Truitt, to join with Ms. Delmarie Cobb, Alderman Moore, the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, 10x10 to Win, and other COAL partners, to develop specific actionable steps towards securing final approval to complete the South Suburban Airport. We encourage others to join this high priority effort.
Calling all change-makers!

The Chicago Department of Public Health is looking for a  Chief Racial Equity Officer/Deputy Commissioner

This new position will bolster and drive CDPH's commitment to dismantling racist systems and addressing health inequities in Chicago, as reflected in our Healthy Chicago 2025 plan to be launched later this summer. The Chief Racial Equity Officer/Deputy Commissioner will help ensure CDPH lives these values in our own day-to-day work. In collaboration with leaders in CDPH and across the city, this position will oversee the development of a racial equity framework, standards, and sustainability plan to ensure that racial equity is fully embedded within the department’s culture and operations. 

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and three references to  james.esparza@cityofchicago.org   by July 3, 2020 . Interviews will be held on July 8-9, 2020; candidates are requested to hold these dates. The full job description is  here .

Please feel free to spread the word and share within your network.
-Submitted by Lance Gough, Executive Director CBOE-
 
When you apply online to Vote By Mail, the Election Board will send you emails:
  • When your application is processed,
  • When your ballot is mailed to you,
  • When the Election Board receives your Ballot Return Envelope, and
  • When your ballot has been processed and counted.
The Board will start mailing ballots in late September / early October 2020. All Vote By Mail ballots come with postage-paid Ballot Return Envelopes.
 
New this fall : You may submit the Ballot Return Envelope  in a secured drop box at any Chicago Early Voting location ! You may also use standard US mail. If you use standard US mail to send your Ballot Return envelope, you must get a postmark before or on Election Day, Nov. 3.
 
Questions?  Learn more here  or call 312-269-7967 or email  VoteByMail@chicagoelections.gov   
 
If you want to be removed from this email list or if you no longer live in Chicago, please write to  Registration@chicagoelections.gov
 
Sincerely, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners
 
p.s. Please consider sharing the news with other Chicago voters with this message:
Chicago voters may visit  chicagoelections.gov/VoteByMail  and apply today to Vote By Mail ahead of Nov. 3, 2020.
#Vote2020 #VoteSafe #VoteByMail
As of June 28, 2020 8pm:
What We Believe
The Coalition of African American Leaders believes that it is important to examine the critical issues confronting the African American community where injustice, inequality and the absence of access and opportunity continue to prevail, thereby negatively impacting us as a people. COAL is an assemblage that advocates and organizes for appropriate and responsible public policy change, system behavior change and equality of opportunity. We aim to achieve for all of our people the fullness of the life experience without any form of racism or exclusion as a deterrent. We believe we must prepare ourselves for the opportunity of this full participation, thereby achieving the necessary education and training to participate.