advocacy Archives - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

CCH honors community members who made our 2023 victories possible

Posted on January 30, 2024February 9, 2024 by Erin Sindewald

CCH grassroots leaders and their families pose with Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Carla Johnson, a CCH Board Member and grassroots leader, hugs Ald. Hadden while presenting her award.
Attorneys with CCH, Porter Wright, and the ACLU of Illinois pose with Julie Campos and her son, Miguel.
Northern Illinois Community Organizer Alex Shapiro honors CCH grassroots leaders for their advocacy over the past year.
Leaders Myron Byrd, Bianca Hardy, and Carla Johnson with Mayor Johnson.
Community members and elected officials watch the celebration.

More than 100 community leaders, elected officials, and coalition members gathered at Grace Episcopal Church on January 22 to celebrate CCH’s accomplishments over the past year.

The evening began with opening remarks from Maxica Williams, President of CCH’s Board of Directors and a longtime grassroots leader with the coalition.

“Through advocating, lobbying, and working hard, the accomplishments for 2023 were plentiful, unique, trendsetting, and successful moves in the right direction to eliminating some of the outdated laws and policies that were direct barriers that have led to homelessness,” shared Maxica.

Pat speaks up to help others

Posted on December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 by Erin Sindewald

Black grandmother and her three grandkids -- ages 11, 12, and 16 -- pose smiling with their arms around each other. They are sitting on a bench and wearing winter jackets. Banner text reads: Pat speaks up to help others

Born to a large family with nine siblings, Patricia “Pat” Franklin understands the importance of working together so that everyone has what they need to thrive. A grandmother of three and self-described jokester, Pat aspires to make the world better for families like hers.

“Growing up, I never knew we were poor,” recalls Pat. “Sleeping three to a bed – I just thought that’s the way it was. My mother was always helping and taking people in. She taught me that there’s always someone else out there who is worse off than you.”

Today, Pat channels her mother’s generous spirit by serving as grassroots leader with CCH, leading advocacy efforts to support people experiencing homelessness.

“CCH is like my second family,” Pat said. “I just love being here and advocating. By sharing my story, I hope it helps the next family and prevents them from going through what I did.”

Celebrating Julie Dworkin, A Champion for Homelessness Advocacy

Posted on October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 by Erin Sindewald

By Sam Paler-Ponce and Mary Tarullo

Twenty-seven years at the same organization is an incredible achievement and Julie Dworkin, Director of Policy at Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, is understandably ready to take on new challenges. She has announced her last day will be November 3.

Julie is recognized locally and nationally as a committed and tireless advocate and policy expert. She stands out for her unwavering dedication and resilience. Her efforts have made a profound impact in addressing Chicago and Illinois homelessness and housing issues.

Over the years, Julie played both a contributing and leadership role in a wide range of important policy and budgetary changes at both the city and state level. Below is just a sampling of efforts that Julie lent her presence and voice to.

CCH advocacy leads to passage of three bills, increased funding for housing programs

Posted on April 13, 2022April 13, 2022 by Erin Sindewald

By Niya K. Kelly, Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation

During this successful legislative session, CCH policy and organizing staff, alongside our grassroots leaders, worked on various initiatives to remove barriers for people experiencing homelessness.

Shared advocacy and organizing in Springfield resulted in increased funding for housing programs in the FY23 state budget as well as the passage of HB 5265, HB 4242, and HB 2775, bills that will support K-12 students, increase access to child care, and ban source of income discrimination for renters.

Springfield advocacy: CCH’s 2022 state legislative agenda

Posted on March 21, 2022March 30, 2022 by Erin Sindewald

By Niya K. Kelly, Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation

This year the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is advocating for several statewide measures that would remove barriers for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. CCH policy and organizing staff, along with our grassroots leaders, are leading efforts to pass four bills that will impact students experiencing homelessness, extremely low-income families and children, and people using rental assistance or housing vouchers.

CCH is advocating for the following legislation:

HB 5265: Financial Equity in Education for Students (FEES)

Illinois school districts are permitted to charge students and their families annual mandatory fees. Fees can include textbooks, instructional materials, and school activities. These fees can add up quickly, putting a strain on low-income parents and guardians who are trying to make ends meet. Fortunately, public school students experiencing homelessness or whose families are classified as low-income have access to fee waivers. Charter schools are obligated to waive fees for students who are experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act but are not required to waive fees for low-income students and their families.

HB 5265 will create parity between students at public schools and charter schools to ensure students and families living in poverty are not burdened by financial barriers to their educations.

Sponsors: Rep. Will Guzzardi, Sen. Ann Gillespie
HB 5265 Fact Sheet

CCH celebrates 40 years of advocacy with a virtual celebration

Posted on September 29, 2020September 30, 2020 by Vanessa Álvarez

By Michael Nameche, Director of Development

On September 24, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless hosted its first virtual gala, No Place Like Home: Celebrating 40 Years of Advocacy.

Through generous sponsorships, including lead sponsors Baker McKenzie and JP Morgan, individual contributions, and the proceeds of an online auction, the event raised more than $225,000 to support CCH’s mission to prevent and end homelessness.

Associate Board to host Fair Tax educational happy hour

Posted on September 24, 2020September 30, 2020 by Vanessa Álvarez

On Thursday, October 1, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Associate Board will host Pour Over Your Ballot, an educational happy hour to inform Illinois voters about the Fair Tax.

Register to attend here.

The first question on Illinois ballots this November will ask voters whether they approve of a transition from a flat income tax to a progressive one.