Join the Workers Center for Racial Justice (WCRJ) in our campaigns for police accountability, reversing mass incarceration, and reinvesting public resources to public services will allow communities to be safe and thrive. We are pushing policies to promote racial equity, justice, and liberation for all, and we can't win this fight without YOU! 

3 Pillars of Justice

Justice Reinvestment:

Dismantling outdated sentencing laws that amplify the mass incarceration of Black people; Reforming racist practices that over police and underserved Black people. 

Dignity at Work:

Ensuring that workers have access to living wage, and meaningful work in their community free from discrimination. 

Childcare for All:

Ensuring access to safe, affordable child care, as it continues to be a barrier to work among Black and other low wage workers. 

Year 2024 Legislative Goals

The SAFER (Securing All Futures through Equitable Reinvestment) Communities Act: 

The SAFER Communities Act would both promote public safety and combat recidivism by incentivizing businesses to employ formerly incarcerated individuals creating jobs for 20,000 formerly incarcerated job seekers. Read More

Clean Slate Illinois

Clean Slate Illinois is a growing coalition of impacted leaders, advocates, and allies who represent diverse communities and are dedicated to ending permanent punishments. Our legislative goal is to create a system for automatic record relief for Illinoisians with conviction histories. Read More

One Fair Wage for Tipped Workers:

HB 4109 would eliminate the disparity between tipped workers and all other workers by ensuring that all employers in Illinois pay the full minimum wage of $15/hour, instead of the current $7.80/hr.  Read More

Please contact us directly with questions or for additional information about WCRJ's proposed policies.

OUR COMMITTEES

Workers Center for Racial Justice (WCRJ) committees help advance our mission to achieve Black liberation by working on 3 pillars of justice. These committees are the place to develop an understanding of different issue areas, identify areas where we can be impactful, write and advocate for legislation, and plan campaigns! Sign up to be involved in the committee of your choice!

Childcare for All Committee:

Ensuring access to safe, affordable child care, as it continues to be a barrier to work among Black and other lower-income workers. Campaigns include Childcare for All.

Reinvestment Committee:

Focused on ending mass incarceration and reducing recidivism by reforming racist policing and sentencing laws. Ensuring that funding priorities lean toward programs that work (e.g. mental health services, jobs programs) instead of overfunding the prison/police systems.  Campaigns include the SAFER Communities Act and Equitable Public Safety Reinvestment. 

Workforce Committee:

Focused on ensuring that workers have access to living-wage, meaningful work free from discrimination, harassment, and wage theft. Campaigns include "Just Cause" and the "SAFER Communities Act". 

Formerly Incarcerated Persons (FIP) Committee:

Works closely with the Justice Reinvestment Committee. Organizes educates, and empowers formerly incarcerated persons. Develops legislation around FIP issues. 

Steering Committee:

Overarching committee to host monthly membership meetings, develop WCRJ's legislative strategy, and determine the new policies WCRJ creates and/or endorses.