What a year!
What a journey!
Our first year of Reimagine Justice Illinois is in the bag.
Continuing to facilitate experiences with our partners that grow our collective capacities to be in relationship and community and transform our workplaces, schools, and communities reminds us that we've been reimagining justice in our work for decades; doing it together takes our work to another level.
This year, we aim to leverage our long-time work as state-wide connectors by bringing people together across Illinois. We are truly stronger together, and that includes you. Wherever you are, from Alton to Zion, we hope you will share widely about Reimagine Justice Illinois.
Our Work: relationship as a verb
Our relationships help guide how we choose the work we take on. We value working in partnership with people whose talents, skills, and perspectives complement our own. We are stronger together, and experience has shown us that partnership draws good work.
Hire Us!
Would you or folks in your workplace, schools, or neighborhood want to learn about restorative justice? Want to get involved as a circle keeper? Want to develop your self-awareness, social awareness, and other social-emotional skills? Would your school or workplace benefit from a deeper understanding of bias-based bullying? Would you like to know more about supporting transgender/nonbinary youth in your community, schools, or organizations?
Our learning experiences are “needs-based,” meaning we customize our training and coaching to meet your personal or collective needs, goals, and time constraints. We’d love to connect to discuss your needs.
And remember - RJI is statewide!
Reimagining research
Interested in the relationship between discipline and bullying in schools, Sarah Schriber (RJI) and Dr. Stacey Horn undertook qualitative research with a group of LGBTQIA+ young people. Their study found that 80% of participants were suspended or expelled for behaviors that stemmed directly from homophobic and transphobic victimization. These patterns leave students (in this case, LGBTQIA+ students) doubly harmed, first, by bullying and, then, by punishment.
RJI has integrated these findings into their bullying prevention and response work, as well as their work supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in schools.
Justice is a whole body experience
We employ an ecological approach to attending to the holistic wellness of people, communities, and systems, seeking to uncover and address the root causes and impacts of injustice. Honoring the whole, we incorporate food, music, art, and storytelling into our work, all of which contribute to our foundational goals around building connections.
Breaking bread
Food is comfort, and a way to nurture, learn about, and experience our diversity. Food brings people together.
And in the wise words of David Mamet, "We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie."
Here's a pie recommendation from our board member, Joe!
When I eat pie, my favorite is sweet potato, then comes pumpkin next.
Our soundtrack
At RJI, music is more than just a background element—it's a core part of our work. Music helps create safe, joyful, and reflective spaces in our restorative circles and workshops.
We asked our board member, Mikhail, to tell us about a song that inspires him!
One Tin Soldier, which some of you may remember from the film Billy Jack. I like this song for many reasons, including that it was a song we learned and sang in my elementary school choir, so I learned it during my "formative years" at a time when there was very little in my formal education about peace and nonviolence.
I also like it for the symbolism of the lyrics and their clear message that
1) the ends don't justify the means and
2) we humans seem to often lose touch with what is the real treasure in life.
In regard to #1, I hope that RJI embraces Gandhi's words that "There is no way to peace, peace is the way" and supports our communities in forming stronger and deeper relationships (built on trust, respect, and justice), which of course are life's real treasures.
Policy that informs our work
RJI staff have long been involved with making systemic change through legislative and policy advocacy. Take a look at some of the gems:
2021: Restorative Justice Privilege Rule
Illinois’s restorative justice "privilege rule" shields statements made during a restorative justice process from being referred to, used, or admitted as evidence in any civil, criminal, juvenile, or administrative court proceeding. The privilege rule is designed to encourage open and honest dialogue during the restorative process.
2015: SB 100 - School Discipline
SB 100 eliminates “zero-tolerance” school discipline policies. It provides that exclusionary punishments (e.g., suspensions) may only be used after other interventions, including SEL and restorative justice, are used to keep students in school to learn.
We want to know about schools that have embraced discipline reform in their on-the-ground practices or need to.
2010: Prevent School Violence Act - Anti-Bullying Law
Illinois’s anti-bullying law prohibits bullying of students in schools based on their various identities, such as race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The law also requires school districts to have robust anti-bullying policies, inform families of bullying incidents within 24 hours, and submit data about the rates of bias-bullying in their schools to ISBE and the public.
We want to know about schools that have addressed bullying in ways that have created inclusive cultures and positive climates
RJI in solidarity
With a new administration comes new challenges facing our communities that, historically, have been denied dignity, access, self-determination, and justice. With this in mind, we want to highlight a few resources to use to support our immigrant/migrant and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Advocates for Trans Equality: Trans Survival Guide
Brittney McNamara, Teen Vogue: How Trans Kids Can Protect Themselves Now that Trump Is in Office
Make an impact
Government grants have been a critical piece of our overall funding strategy. The demand for our services continues to grow, and we remain committed to expanding our reach to ensure no one is left behind. Consider contributing to RJI to safeguard our work now and into the future.