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SPRINGFIELD, ILL – The new “Healing Illinois” initiative is a response to the racial inequities due to the Corona Virus pandemic. Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton announced this new initiative. As a result, it was set up in partnership with the Chicago Community Trust and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) who will oversee the program.
Therefore, IDHS and the Chicago Community Trust will distribute $4.5 million in grants to Illinois organizations to help ease racial healing activities.
The Healing Illinois Initiative
“Healing Illinois is a bold new initiative by the Department of Human Services supporting meaningful dialogue regarding race and racism. In turn, these are conversations we must have in order to move us toward the progress we seek. In order to truly fight injustices and build a better, more inclusive Illinois, we have to be able to articulate the history of personal, institutional, and structural racism that got us here. Moreover, the modern iterations of personal, institutional, and structural racism that hold us back today,” Pritzker said.
“As a part of my commitment to healing, we’ve allocated $4.5 million to provide grants to community-based organizations of all sizes. As a result, help create community-centric, inclusive spaces to talk, learn, and grow. Therefore, the Chicago Community Trust has stepped up as our intermediary for this work. In turn, they are distributing our funds around the state. I’m genuinely grateful for their assistance.”
“We are dealing with two pandemics—COVID-19 and systemic racism. Healing Illinois will advance the conversation. Then shine a light on the process of collective healing,” Stratton said. “What we know is hurt people hurt people, and healed people heal people. In Illinois, we are leading the way. We are moving with all deliberate speed in the direction of justice, equity, and opportunity for all.”
These grants come in two rounds. The deadline for the first round is Wednesday, Oct. 14, and the deadline for the second round is Friday, Oct. 30.
Grants Funding Activities
These grants will fund activities in four areas:
Promoting Dialogue: Conversations that build understanding and empathy
Encouraging Collaboration: Activities bringing people together in-person or virtually for a project or idea
Facilitating Learning: Designing activities to build or enhance knowledge
Seeding Connection: Racial healing circles, peace circles, or restorative justice activities
Criteria for Applications and How to Apply
All applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization that is in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and is Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) certified.
However, organizations that are not GATA-certified may be eligible to work with an intermediary.
For more information on how to apply, click here.
