Many residents say that resources to find housing and work are not accessible in their communities as they transition into adulthood.
Community members are determined to find housing and employment in their area, but the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood and ongoing economic instability make it difficult to navigate.
It’s a myth that young people don’t care about politics or social issues. In Chicago, organizers are building relationships among Black youth and young adults so they feel empowered to participate in their communities and vote.
CPS teacher resignations and retirements spiked in the early part of the pandemic, and schools throughout the district are struggling with teacher shortages. Advocates say there should be more focus on teachers’ mental health, as well as that of their students.
More than 55,000 Chicagoans over 18 are experiencing homelessness, and it’s difficult to prioritize voting alongside immediate needs. But advocates say it’s important to mobilize, especially with a presidential administration targeting government spending.
Thousands of Illinoisans could not vote in November, as the state bans people from voting while serving time for felony sentences. This exclusion from the civic process highlights how incarceration and reintegration challenges can prevent someone participating in democracy.