This week, our Policy Manager, Curtis Ferdindad, joined @wttwchicago Firsthand: Democracy panel to discuss civic engagement in a moment when participation is declining. He asked a question we don’t raise often enough: Who is democracy leaving out? #CGLA #WTTW #votingrights

Fred Hampton’s leadership reminds us that age is not a limitation and unity is power. At just 21, he brought together communities divided by conflict and built something bigger than himself. Power doesn’t wait for permission. ✊🏾 #CGLA #bhmreflections

CGLA Leadership Council Shoutout 🎉 Leadership Council member Chauncey Stockdale was recently featured in the Chicago Sun-Times following the signage of Illinois’ Clean Slate Act: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0... Policy is strongest when those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.

Thank you Jesse Jackson. A Chicago legend whose lifelong fight for justice reshaped our city and our nation. He reminded us that justice requires persistence, courage, and community. At CGLA, we carry forward that call, working to ensure that a past mistake does not define a person’s future.

This year there are just 45 candidates running for 26 seats on the Cook County Circuit Court, continuing a trend toward less and less competition in local judicial races. You can read about some of the notable contested races in our overview of the judicial primary.

If one scholar could spark a century of remembrance, imagine what we can build together. Click our “Take Action!” link here to join the movement of transforming lives and laws: www.cgla.net/takeaction?u...

Our Outreach Team will be at Harold Washington Library for their Coffee and Connections Fair! Stop by for resources, kits, tools, and support. Can’t make it? Share this post!

Ida B. Wells understood that exposing injustice was the first step toward dismantling it. Read Eva’s reflections below to learn how Ida B. Wells inspired her! #cabrinigreenlegalaid #blackhistoryreflections #cglastaffspotlight

The US Legal Empowerment Network is hosting their first convening and Cabrini Green Legal Aid is honored to lead a breakout session: CGLA’s Leadership Council: The Power of Peer-Led Education to Drive Systemic Change and Build Communities of Care. See you there! #cgla #uslegalempowermentnetwork

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King Jr. We invite you to stand with us as we work to remove barriers and expand access to justice. www.cgla.net  #cabrinigreenlegalaid #martinlutherkingjr

Illinois is officially a Clean Slate state! This milestone was years in the making and led by the incredible work of The Clean Slate Initiative, Clean Slate IL, advocates, lawmakers, coalition partners, and directly impacted people who never stopped fighting for fair chances. #cleanslateil

As we close out 2025, we want to take a moment to thank you for your generous support of our Year-End Campaign, #RootDownToRise Up. Your gift makes a real and lasting difference for individuals and families facing legal challenges and housing insecurity. #cabrinigreenlegalaid

Whether you engage with us as a supporter, partner, volunteer, advocate, or client who has trusted us with your story, your connection to this work matters.   Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a hopeful new year ahead!

Remembering Arkee Chaney: Artist & Powerful Storyteller Check out our post on instagram as we celebrate and reflect on Arkee’s life 🖌️ www.instagram.com/p/DSnKMG2jv-...

This training is for youth, parents, and community members who want to understand their rights and the expungement process in Illinois. Help us spread knowledge! Share this post in your story and send the flyer to someone who needs it.

And we’re not done yet. All donations through December 22 will be matched! If you’d like to help us continue building a future where restoration and opportunity are possible, visit our #RootDownToRiseUp campaign page here: give.cgla.net/campaign/cgl...

📌 REMINDER! Join us for an informative training on your rights during encounters with ICE or local police. We’ll cover what you are—and are not—required to share, how to safely assert your rights, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

This #GivingTuesday, we’re counting on you. Every gift will be matched! Donate now to support our #RootDownToRiseUp Campaign: donate now: give.cgla.net/give/737035/...

We’re grateful for our clients whose resilience fuels our mission; our dedicated leaders, staff, attorneys, interns, and boards. Thank you to our donors and community for believing in this work. As we give thanks, we invite you to support our EOY Campaign today: give.cgla.net/give/737035/...

Root Down to Rise Up is CGLA’s End of Year Campaign, with a goal of raising $150,000! 📢 Every donation received by December 22 will be doubled, up to a total of $150,000! Click here to donate now: give.cgla.net/give/737035/...

However, there are some alternative filing options. Learn more here: www.cgla.net/get-legal-help Important notice, right? Please share this post! Questions for us? Send us a DM!

We’re honored to be featured in The TRiiBE! Read the article here: thetriibe.com/2025/11/cabr... Want to stand with us? Support our mission: www.cgla.net/donate?fbcli...

Need help identifying the accuracy of your RAP sheet? Do you know what to do if the information is incorrect? Not sure where to go to even obtain these documents?? Perfect timing! Check out the flyer below to join us. Share the flyer with someone who needs it!

We're so glad to see others shining a light on Malcolm Evans and his incredible story! Malcolm, Director of Farming at @urbangrowerscollective, recently received the Charles V. Hogren Courage & Character Award from Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA). citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2025/no...

Howard & Evanston Community, we hope to see you this Thursday! Come out to learn about the criminal records services we provide. We’re here to answer any questions you have and guide you on your journey to fair chances.

This FRIDAY! Free and open to the public!

#HB1836, #CleanSlateIL WAS PASSED!!!!! Together, we ended permanent punishment and opened the door to second chances. TOGETHER, WE MADE HISTORY!!

Clean Slate needs your support! #CleanSlateIL

Ending money bond in Illinois supports families, public safety, and racial justice. CGLA fought for this legislation alongside many partners across Illinois. Now that it is under attack, please join us in calling on the Illinois Governor and Legislature to defend the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Wanna do meaningful work with great people? @cabrinigreenlegal.bsky.social is hiring a Campaigns Organizer and Communications Manager. Check out www.cgla.net/careers

Yesterday, @govpritzker.illinois.gov signed the FAIR Act into law! This historic legislation creates a Statewide Public Defender Office, marking the first major overhaul of the state’s trial-level public defense system since 1949. endmoneybond.org/2025/08/16/g...

Justice-impacted Illinoisans face lifelong barriers to housing, employment & education. CGLA’s Cynthia Cornelius has dedicated herself to changing that. Check out her story in the Chicago Reporter! www.chicagoreporter.com/the-chicago-...

Help us improve outcomes for justice-impacted individuals! The Restoring Rights and Opportunities Coalition of IL wants to learn about the resources people receive exiting prison. If you were incarcerated in IDOC, please complete our survey: bit.ly/GateMoneySurvey @cabrinigreenlegal.bsky.social

In which Cook County State's Attorney defends her decision to allow CPD to file felony gun charges in a few (85% Black) neighborhoods w/o review by attys in her office. Because it's faster + easier for police and prosecutors to just let the cops make legal decisions. news.wttw.com/2025/07/24/t...

We’re thrilled to share that CGLA’s very own Cynthia Cornelius will be honored this Friday by the Chicago Bar Foundation with this year’s Thomas H. Morsch Public Service Award—the premier recognition for long-time legal aid and public interest attorneys in our community! 🎉

Join us for the Day of Play and Legal Book Drive with Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Ed Project and other great orgs on July 26th! Logan prison currently has just a handful of books in their law library. Help us raise funds to purchase more. RSVP and/or donate givebutter.com/PNAPDayOfPlay

Look for us today at Pride South Side! DuSable Black History Museum 7/5/25 1:00-8:00pm

We honor the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and many others by working for the liberation of LGBTQIA2S+ people. Let's stand up & fight back against policies that criminalize people especially at the intersection of race, ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, status and ability Artist: @sundayinbloom

BREAKING NEWS: Executive Director Aisha Edwards has been recognized as a Notable Leader in Philanthropy by @crainschicago.bsky.social!! Aisha's leadership is an inspiration to so many in our community and we're excited to see her recognized! www.chicagobusiness.com/Reprint-CB25... #crainsnotables

The FAIR Act has passed through both chambers of the state legislature! Illinois will launch a statewide office of public defense in 2027! This marks the first time Illinois has significantly updated its public defense structure since 1949. endmoneybond.org/2025/05/31/i...

Clean Slate has passed the House! With only a matter of hours left in the legislative session, we need everyone to contact your Illinois state senator and urge support of SB1784! #CleanSlateIL

Home for Good is Good for All. Contact your legislator today

The Pretrial Success program expands access to mental health & substance use disorder support, transportation, and child care for people awaiting trial. Budget cuts are putting these essential services in jeopardy, tell your legislators to protect them: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

The Felony Review Bypass Program poses serious risks to due process and it disproportionately harms Chicago’s Black and Brown communities. CGLA and 135 other signers call on State’s Attorney O’Neill Burke to immediately end the program and reinstate felony review in all gun possession cases.

Honored to be a part of the Chicago Gun Violence Prevention Conference June 7th. Register today!

CGLA’s Leadership Council was hosted tonight by the Chicago Torture Justice Center. What an honor, especially since May 6 is the 10 year anniversary of #ReparationsNow

1 in 3 adults has a criminal record. If this is you or someone you know come see us Saturday 4/26 at Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Morgan Park! Together with our partners ICJIA, LiveFreeIllinois, and Community Healing Resource Center

CGLA's mission is to remove barriers to equity at an individual and systemic level. This #SecondChanceMonth let us celebrate second chances and work together to create opportunity for those who were never given a fair chance to begin with.

The organizing team @cabrinigreenlegal.bsky.social is reading Let This Radicalize You together. A new organizer today shared that this book gave her the language for things she's always felt but didn't have the words to express. Thank you @prisonculture.bsky.social & @mskellymhayes.bsky.social 🙏

In 1973, Chuck Hogren co-founded a neighborhood legal clinic at the request of Cabrini-Green residents. In the midst of uncertain times, CGLA is staying grounded in beloved community, remembering what called us to this work, and making decisions that reflect a commitment to our values and our “why”