From expanding voting rights to investing in historically underserved communities, JB’s administration is making social justice and the fight for equity a top priority.

• Established the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative, led by the Lt. Governor, to advance criminal justice reform and equity-focused programs
• Used cannabis tax revenue to address communities harmed by violence, excessive incarceration, and economic disinvestment
• Doubled the amount of funding for violence prevention and anti-violence programs
• Expunged minor cannabis-related offenses for 500,000 Illinoisans, reducing barriers to employment, housing and professional licenses
• Enacted an historic reform agenda to address systemic racism initiated by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, including criminal justice reform, education, economic opportunity, and health care
• Allocated $40 million for new home buyers, providing down payments and student loan repayment assistance to working class families and communities of color across the state
• Launched “Healing Illinois” initiative to advance racial healing through grants to community organizations
• Increased access to the ballot by expanding early voting and vote-by-mail during the 2020 election