Lt. Governor Stratton Hosts the “Justice Collective: Community Conversations” with Her Office’s Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative
Lt. Governor Stratton Hosts the “Justice Collective: Community Conversations” with Her Office’s Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative (Chicago, IL) — Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s Justice, Equity and Opportunity initiative hosted “Justice Collective: Community Conversations” in Chicago yesterday. The program centered around holistic approaches to addressing trauma and pain impacting historically disenfranchised communities.
The event was attended by more than 100 community members and stakeholders interested in holistic healing of communities and was moderated by Lt. Governor Stratton. Statewide transformative justice efforts discussed included the Restore, Reinvest and Renew (R3) program, the Healing Beyond Harm Restorative Justice Pilot Program, and the State ID program, established in partnership with First Lady MK Pritzker, the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, the Illinois Departments of Corrections, and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.
“Across Illinois we have witnessed how Black and Brown communities have experienced lack of opportunities to heal from trauma,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “We can build stronger, healthier communities by listening to those most affected by the criminal legal system. The Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative, housed in my office, will continue to convene stakeholders to transform the criminal justice system.”
“The ‘Justice Collective: Community Conversation’ is a series of community engagements to highlight the healing centered and transformative efforts of the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity (JEO) Initiative, under the leadership of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton,” said Director of the JEO Initiative and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Office of the Lt. Governor Yaacov Delaney. “Grounded in the spirit of collaboration with community stakeholders, the JEO Initiative focuses on ensuring historically marginalized people and communities throughout the state have equitable access to opportunities to thrive as productive residents.”
The event included leaders working to address community safety, Chicago Deputy Mayor of Community Safety, Garien Gatewood, Chief Executive Office of BUILD Inc., Adam Alonso, and the Office of the Lt. Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Yaacov Delaney.
“I was thrilled to join Lt. Governor Stratton for the ‘Justice Collective: Community Conversation,’” said Deputy Mayor of Community Safety, Garien Gatewood. “We understand the need for a healing-centered approach to safety and justice, and we look forward to continuing our work in the Office of Community Safety with the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative.”
The Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort in Illinois to reshape the justice system. By transitioning away from punitive measures toward equitable, restorative and inclusive practices, it serves as a model for the nation. It’s important to bring the voices of those impacted to the table to better address our state’s most pressing issues and work from a trauma informed lens.
“It was BUILD’s honor to host the Lt. Governor’s ‘Justice Collective: Community Conversation.’ Our goal has always been to connect, hold, heal and inspire every young person, and help them succeed and be happy,” said Chief Executive Officer of BUILD, Inc., Adam Alonso. “That kind of success can only happen when we come together, work collectively, and heal whole communities. The ‘Justice Collective: Community Conversations’ is driving all the right things.”
The Justice Collective: Community Conversations welcomed stakeholders, community members and leaders including Illinois Senator of the 43rd District Rachel Ventura, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections Latoya Hughes, Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Heidi Mueller, Executive Director of Juvenile Justice Commission Orlando Mayorga, Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commissioner Tracey Fleming, and Senior Advisor to the First Lady MK Pritzker Willette Benford.
Lt. Governor Stratton Hosts the “Justice Collective: Community Conversations” with Her Office’s Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative
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