COAL proffers that most would agree upon the importance of the Judiciary, at all levels, and its impact on all aspects of our daily lives. Further, we can agree that it is critically important to have a diverse judiciary, as a critical component of achieving that elusive goal of true justice and 'equal protection of the laws'.

COAL further submits that we must be more informed and vote with intention, on what is known as the 'down part' of the ballot, the list of judicial candidates running for election or re-election. To this end, COAL hosts one of its Breakfasts as an educational 'Judicial Candidates Meet and Greet' forum, to provide an opportunity for our membership and community to engage with judges running to hold their current or higher position and attorneys looking to be elected to the bench for the first time.

COAL's goal is to encourage all of us to identify, and then remember to vote for, judicial candidates committed to fair and equal treatment under the law and to ensure that our community is strongly represented on the bench.

Please join COAL at its June 4th Coalition Power Breakfast (the first in-person Breakfast since March of 2020), as we engage with those we elect to adjudicate matters before the court that impact us as individuals, as a community and as a nation.

And please feel free to share this notice with judicial candidates you are aware of, as well as with others looking to meet judicial candidates up for election on June 28th.

Respectfully,

COAL thanks March 26th Breakfast guest speaker, Honorable Jason C. Ervin, 28th Ward Alderman and Chair of the City Council Black Caucus, for an important and impactful conversation about the Chicago Ward Remap.

Ald. Ervin provided an in-depth analysis of source 2020 Census population changes at the ward level that are the basis for proposed alternative ward maps, and then articulating why the Chicago United Map maximizes black representation, while minimizing disruption to current neighborhood cohesiveness. He effectively explained the proposed elimination of the current 34th ward and the move of Altgeld Gardens into the 10th Ward. And, importantly, he effectively relayed the adverse impacts of the alternative Latino Caucus' map on the political strength of the black community. Overall, Ald. Ervin was well-prepared, and it was a substantive and very informative presentation. Chicago United Map

With the 43-7 passage of the Chicago United Map, thus avoiding a June 28th referendum, COAL again thanks Ald. Ervin for returning for the May 21st Breakfast to answer all questions regarding the map, the compromise and vote, as well as a number of questions that went far beyond the remap process but were important to COAL membership and community-of-interest. COAL appreciates that the Alderman addressed all questions in an informed, considerate and comprehensive manner.

COAL thanks May 7th Breakfast guest speaker, Rob Jeffreys, Director of Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for a critical and engaging conversation on the Illinois prison system.

Importantly, Director Jeffreys is focused on re-entry, improving the re-integration of ex-offenders back into our communities, and the reduction in recidivism - this represents real actions toward ex-offenders having a 'second chance'.

Director Jeffreys appears to be addressing the challenges of the ‘prison industrial complex’ head on and COAL looks to partner with Jeffreys towards improving re-entry for ex-offenders.

IDOC Presents “Second Chance Month".

COAL is very pleased to report that the May 10^th Hiring Event was a huge success, with over 300 job seekers in attendance. 

COAL thanks the participating employers (Chicago Police Department (CPD), Illinois State police (ISP), United Parcel Service (UPS), Chase Bank, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), ADDUS Homecare, Walgreens).   

COAL thanks the host, Community Manager Jared Evans and Chase Bank (Chase has a very nice community center at 6550 S. Stoney). 

and COAL thanks all of the job seekers who showed up looking for that right job opportunity - may the event provide each person with employment.  

We also registered new voters at the event! COAL thanks COAL member Heather Wills for handling the voter registration table.  

Great job! COAL family.