Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative
@ilblackadvocacy.bsky.social
A statewide Black-centered organization dedicated to building power through organizing and systems change.
Illinois just made a game-changing investment in public transit but the real work starts with how that money moves.
www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
Illinois General Assembly passes transit funding bill overnight, raising $1.5 billion for CTA, Metra, Pace
The Illinois General Assembly passed a compromise bill to fund public transportation, including CTA, Metra and Pace, with the majority of the money going to the Chicago area.
www.cbsnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Illinois just made a game-changing investment in public transit but the real work starts with how that money moves.
www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
Killed by an off-duty police officer in 2012, Boyd’s death became a rallying cry for the #SayHerName movement. Thirteen years later, the design process for her monument could be ‘model’ for public art creation.
Finalists unveil designs for new Douglass Park monument on what would have been Rekia Boyd’s 36th birthday
Killed by an off-duty police officer in 2012, Boyd’s death became a rallying cry for the #SayHerName movement. Thirteen years later, the design process for her monument could be ‘model’ for public art creation.
trib.al
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The 2025 Veto Session may have ended, but the issues raised here remain urgent. Illinois still faces deep federal pressure on programs that sustain Black families — from SNAP and Medicaid to transit and education funding. #IlBlackAdvocacy #VetoSessionReminders #EDOT
www.linkedin.com/posts/illino...
www.linkedin.com/posts/illino...
What’s Next for Illinois After the 2025 Veto Session: Protecting Black Families in a Shifting Federal Landscape | Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative
The 2025 Veto Session may have ended, but the issues raised here remain urgent. Illinois still faces deep federal pressure on programs that sustain Black families — from SNAP and Medicaid to transit a...
www.linkedin.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:11 PM
The 2025 Veto Session may have ended, but the issues raised here remain urgent. Illinois still faces deep federal pressure on programs that sustain Black families — from SNAP and Medicaid to transit and education funding. #IlBlackAdvocacy #VetoSessionReminders #EDOT
www.linkedin.com/posts/illino...
www.linkedin.com/posts/illino...
Reposted by Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative
If SNAP serves ~1 in 8
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
October 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
If SNAP serves ~1 in 8
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
Every person in the US - each person in your household - must donate an entire day's worth of food per week to compensate. If you know 3 people who do not donate, you'd need to donate 12 meals/week
Point: do everything you can; also PUSH bc there is only 1 realistic solution
Reposted by Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative
As of midnight, the federal government has shut down due to Congress’s failure to pass a budget. Our sister organization, Center for Racial and Gender Equity, put together a guide for how the shut down might impact you. ⬇️
October 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
As of midnight, the federal government has shut down due to Congress’s failure to pass a budget. Our sister organization, Center for Racial and Gender Equity, put together a guide for how the shut down might impact you. ⬇️
Fair and equitable transit now.
With time running short in the General Assembly’s fall veto session, Illinois House Democrats began pushing Tuesday for their own plan to provide an overhaul of the Chicago region’s mass transit systems.
Illinois House Democrats weigh new transit funding plan, eye billionaire and streaming taxes
With time running short in the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session, Democratic lawmakers were weighing several alternatives to raise the $1.5 billion advocates say is needed to fund publi…
trib.al
October 29, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Fair and equitable transit now.
Reposted by Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative
Want something positive to do tonight? We need 1k witness slips in support of #CleanSlateIL by 9am tomorrow! Follow the link at www.ilga.gov/Senate/heari...
October 29, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Want something positive to do tonight? We need 1k witness slips in support of #CleanSlateIL by 9am tomorrow! Follow the link at www.ilga.gov/Senate/heari...
“Historically, Black voices have been omitted in transit decision-making.” For over 50 years, Chicago’s South Side has waited for the Red Line to extend past 95th Street — a promise made in 1969 and still unfulfilled.
October 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
“Historically, Black voices have been omitted in transit decision-making.” For over 50 years, Chicago’s South Side has waited for the Red Line to extend past 95th Street — a promise made in 1969 and still unfulfilled.
Op-ed by Adam Slade @ilblackadvocacy.bsky.social makes the case for the @chicagocta.bsky.social Red Line Extension to Chicago's far South Side and stresses the value of high-density development near transit service. #ETOD www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/tran...
October 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A statement from Patrice James, IBAI Director, on federal attacks in Illinois:
“Safety does not come from militarization or raids.”
“These actions are not about safety — they are about control.”
“The threats are real—but so is our power.”
Full statement ilblackadvocacy.org
#BuildPower #IBAI
“Safety does not come from militarization or raids.”
“These actions are not about safety — they are about control.”
“The threats are real—but so is our power.”
Full statement ilblackadvocacy.org
#BuildPower #IBAI
October 3, 2025 at 6:17 PM
A statement from Patrice James, IBAI Director, on federal attacks in Illinois:
“Safety does not come from militarization or raids.”
“These actions are not about safety — they are about control.”
“The threats are real—but so is our power.”
Full statement ilblackadvocacy.org
#BuildPower #IBAI
“Safety does not come from militarization or raids.”
“These actions are not about safety — they are about control.”
“The threats are real—but so is our power.”
Full statement ilblackadvocacy.org
#BuildPower #IBAI
Women's History Month is an opportunity to highlight the voices & contributions of the Black women who have shaped our world. Let's honor the visionaries who fought for liberation & justice. Join us in reflecting on their legacies & continuing the struggle for a just future.
March 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Women's History Month is an opportunity to highlight the voices & contributions of the Black women who have shaped our world. Let's honor the visionaries who fought for liberation & justice. Join us in reflecting on their legacies & continuing the struggle for a just future.
Family policing disproportionately targets Black families. To combat this systemic injustice, we must expand access to quality legal representation. The #FAIRAct does just that.
Learn more:
Learn more:
March 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Family policing disproportionately targets Black families. To combat this systemic injustice, we must expand access to quality legal representation. The #FAIRAct does just that.
Learn more:
Learn more:
The Governor's upcoming Budget Address is crucial for advocates. Facing a projected $3.2 BILLION deficit in FY26, tough choices are ahead. The Governor will present the budget to the public on February 19th, during the State of the State address. The live stream can be found at buff.ly/4b4W6Pr.
Live Video
Other Streams If you are not seeing the video, the stream may not have started. Refresh the page to retry the stream. Click here to view Video (Captioned Version) Click here for Audio only version
buff.ly
February 18, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The Governor's upcoming Budget Address is crucial for advocates. Facing a projected $3.2 BILLION deficit in FY26, tough choices are ahead. The Governor will present the budget to the public on February 19th, during the State of the State address. The live stream can be found at buff.ly/4b4W6Pr.
This week, we commemorate Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor! Elected in 1983, Washington broke barriers and championed equality, fighting for affordable housing, economic development for the poor and working class, and increased minority representation in city government.
February 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This week, we commemorate Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor! Elected in 1983, Washington broke barriers and championed equality, fighting for affordable housing, economic development for the poor and working class, and increased minority representation in city government.
The Family Policing System is stealing our children and tearing apart our families. Join the Black Mothers March on the White House and demand justice! This march is our chance to reclaim our power, amplify our voices, and resist a system designed to oppress us.
February 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The Family Policing System is stealing our children and tearing apart our families. Join the Black Mothers March on the White House and demand justice! This march is our chance to reclaim our power, amplify our voices, and resist a system designed to oppress us.
The Family Policing System is stealing our children and tearing apart our families. Join the Black Mothers March on the White House and demand justice! For four years, we've fought to keep families together.
Register here: buff.ly/4gGF6QM
#BlackMothersMarch #StopTheTerror #JusticeForBlackFamilies
Register here: buff.ly/4gGF6QM
#BlackMothersMarch #StopTheTerror #JusticeForBlackFamilies
Black Mothers March 2025
The Black Mothers March is a an opportunity for people fighting against the Family Policing System across the country to come together.
buff.ly
February 14, 2025 at 9:09 PM
The Family Policing System is stealing our children and tearing apart our families. Join the Black Mothers March on the White House and demand justice! For four years, we've fought to keep families together.
Register here: buff.ly/4gGF6QM
#BlackMothersMarch #StopTheTerror #JusticeForBlackFamilies
Register here: buff.ly/4gGF6QM
#BlackMothersMarch #StopTheTerror #JusticeForBlackFamilies
Explore the debut entry in our blog series focusing on our budget advocacy efforts. How does the state budget affect Black communities in Illinois? Our latest blog post, "Investing in Black Illinois: The Power of the Budget," delves into this topic.
www.ilblackadvocacy.org/post/investi...
www.ilblackadvocacy.org/post/investi...
Investing in Black Illinois: The Power of the Budget
Whenever a government budget is mentioned, what comes to mind is big political fights and speeches that result in a complicated document that is challenging to understand. But the state budget is much...
www.ilblackadvocacy.org
February 14, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Explore the debut entry in our blog series focusing on our budget advocacy efforts. How does the state budget affect Black communities in Illinois? Our latest blog post, "Investing in Black Illinois: The Power of the Budget," delves into this topic.
www.ilblackadvocacy.org/post/investi...
www.ilblackadvocacy.org/post/investi...
Reposted by Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative
Spreading misinformation is shameful but it's especially egregious when it involves falsifying information about the shooting of a child.
A year after the end of money bond, some electeds continue to try and confuse the public in order to push for more jailing:
endmoneybond.org/2025/02/12/p...
A year after the end of money bond, some electeds continue to try and confuse the public in order to push for more jailing:
endmoneybond.org/2025/02/12/p...
Peoria Officials’ Response to Youth Tragedy Is Both Cynical and Deeply Misleading - Coalition to End Money Bond
First, we will say the only thing worth saying at this moment: our heart breaks for the family of the nine-year-old boy shot earlier this month. We cannot imagine the suffering that this child and his...
endmoneybond.org
February 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Spreading misinformation is shameful but it's especially egregious when it involves falsifying information about the shooting of a child.
A year after the end of money bond, some electeds continue to try and confuse the public in order to push for more jailing:
endmoneybond.org/2025/02/12/p...
A year after the end of money bond, some electeds continue to try and confuse the public in order to push for more jailing:
endmoneybond.org/2025/02/12/p...
Delve into the vibrant world of Gwendolyn Brooks this month with these essential reads! These books offer crucial insights into the life and legacy of this Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. Explore themes of race, class, and gender.
February 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Delve into the vibrant world of Gwendolyn Brooks this month with these essential reads! These books offer crucial insights into the life and legacy of this Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. Explore themes of race, class, and gender.
We're thrilled that Marsheda Patrice Olubunmi Ewulomi, Esq. has joined the IBAI team as our new Policy & Advocacy Strategist. She will be instrumental in advancing IBAI's mission to build Black political power across Illinois.
Read more about Marsheda on our website: www.ilblackadvocacy.org
Read more about Marsheda on our website: www.ilblackadvocacy.org
February 12, 2025 at 7:42 PM
We're thrilled that Marsheda Patrice Olubunmi Ewulomi, Esq. has joined the IBAI team as our new Policy & Advocacy Strategist. She will be instrumental in advancing IBAI's mission to build Black political power across Illinois.
Read more about Marsheda on our website: www.ilblackadvocacy.org
Read more about Marsheda on our website: www.ilblackadvocacy.org
Celebrating Illinois' own Gwendolyn Brooks for #BlackRadicalHistoryMonth! From Chicago's Bronzeville, Brooks's powerful poetry gave voice to the everyday lives and struggles of Black communities. A Pulitzer Prize winner and champion for social justice.
February 11, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Celebrating Illinois' own Gwendolyn Brooks for #BlackRadicalHistoryMonth! From Chicago's Bronzeville, Brooks's powerful poetry gave voice to the everyday lives and struggles of Black communities. A Pulitzer Prize winner and champion for social justice.
Dive into Black Radical history this February with these powerful reads on Fred Hampton. From his assassination to his enduring message, these books offer crucial insights into the life and legacy of Chairman Fred Hampton, the Black Panther Party, and the struggle for collective liberation.
February 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Dive into Black Radical history this February with these powerful reads on Fred Hampton. From his assassination to his enduring message, these books offer crucial insights into the life and legacy of Chairman Fred Hampton, the Black Panther Party, and the struggle for collective liberation.
The Trump administration has enacted significant changes to U.S. immigration laws and policies through executive orders, aiming to transform the entire system. Resources are available to understand your rights.
4 Languages available: English, French, Haitian Creole, and Swahili.
4 Languages available: English, French, Haitian Creole, and Swahili.
January 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The Trump administration has enacted significant changes to U.S. immigration laws and policies through executive orders, aiming to transform the entire system. Resources are available to understand your rights.
4 Languages available: English, French, Haitian Creole, and Swahili.
4 Languages available: English, French, Haitian Creole, and Swahili.
🗓️ Thursday, February 6th, 10 AM - 4 PM
📍 Illinois State Capitol Building
Join the Movement for HIV/AIDS Equity in Illinois! ✊🏾
Sign up here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
#Illinois #EndtheEpidemic
📍 Illinois State Capitol Building
Join the Movement for HIV/AIDS Equity in Illinois! ✊🏾
Sign up here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
#Illinois #EndtheEpidemic
January 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
🗓️ Thursday, February 6th, 10 AM - 4 PM
📍 Illinois State Capitol Building
Join the Movement for HIV/AIDS Equity in Illinois! ✊🏾
Sign up here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
#Illinois #EndtheEpidemic
📍 Illinois State Capitol Building
Join the Movement for HIV/AIDS Equity in Illinois! ✊🏾
Sign up here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
#Illinois #EndtheEpidemic
As a new administration settles into Washington, it's crucial to remember that the fight for justice transcends the confines of the Oval Office. While political figures come and go, the struggle for Black liberation continues.
Read our more here: buff.ly/4awhqgv
Read our more here: buff.ly/4awhqgv
News | IBAI
www.ilblackadvocacy.org
January 21, 2025 at 9:19 PM
As a new administration settles into Washington, it's crucial to remember that the fight for justice transcends the confines of the Oval Office. While political figures come and go, the struggle for Black liberation continues.
Read our more here: buff.ly/4awhqgv
Read our more here: buff.ly/4awhqgv