Restore Justice Illinois engages in direct political action at the state level to help elect candidates who will support and protect criminal legal system reform. Join our Political Action Team today!
Meet The Team
During the “off-season,” we are anything but off. We work year-round to build relationships with legislators, identify and support candidates who represent our values, and educate and train the public on our issues.
We believe our legislators should know, represent, and be us. This is why we lay the groundwork for people directly impacted by incarceration and the criminal legal system to make their voices heard in our local elections.
Building a personal relationship with your legislators is one of the best ways to be an effective advocate. We encourage you to find out who your legislators are and build relationships with them.
The state and presidential General Election will be held on November 3, 2026.
Illinois elections, including for governor, will be held on November 3, 2026.
impact
We believe in the possibility of rehabilitation, redemption, and reunification with the community for all people who are incarcerated. We focus on mitigating the harms of excessive sentences by guiding the Illinois General Assembly to make good policy based on principled legal analysis, best practices in other states, guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court, and international law.
What does it truly mean to reform our carceral system in Illinois? We aim to center the voices of those most harmed by Illinois’ unjust criminal legal policies of the past to create compassionate, smart, and safe policies for the future.
The process of a policy idea becoming law is lengthy and complicated. Every bill needs a sponsor to shepherd it through the General Assembly, navigate deadlines, work with any opposition, and balance competing priorities. Learn more about the journey a bill takes to become a law.
Community
Join our Political Action Team and help elect Illinois legislative candidates who will protect important criminal legal system reforms and work to continue making progress in our state. Members of the Action Team help get out the vote for legislators who believe in compassion.