Shriver Center on Poverty Law

09/19/2024

Disabled women, particularly women of color, are disproportionately impacted by the wage gap, and it’s critical we fight for equity. Learn more about how to take action with Equal Pay Today to ensure we close the pay gap for disabled women: https://bit.ly/3B0l8kX

09/16/2024

Happy !

On the first day of Latine Heritage Month, we’re recognizing and celebrating the multitude of identities, languages, and experiences of Latinidad. Latine communities across the U.S. provide valuable contributions to all our lives.

However, Latine communities in the U.S. often experience disparities in access to health care, with 52% of Latine adults reporting negative health care experiences. The Shriver Center on Poverty Law continues to address barriers to health care and fight for economic security for all, particularly for non-native English speakers and those who are undocumented. ✊

09/11/2024

Everyone deserves equal power under the law. In the year since cash bail has been outlawed in Illinois, there’s been a 11% decrease in Cook County jail populations.

The Shriver Center on Poverty Law helped pass the Pretrial Fairness Act in 2021 as part of the Coalition to End Money Bond. It went into effect in September 2023, making Illinois the first state in the nation to ban cash bail. Under the old system of cash bail, income and assets determined if someone could pay for their freedom. This led to unfair pretrial detention based on someone’s ability to afford bail — now, this is determined by the risk they pose to the community instead.

Ending cash bail is an important step in the fight for racial and economic justice. We wrote about the successes of this historic legislation: https://www.povertylaw.org/article/ending-cash-bail-keeps-families-together/

09/09/2024

What do food delivery drivers, cashiers, and office workers have in common?

They are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) individuals. That means they juggle multiple jobs, yet still struggle to make ends meet. The federal poverty line only focuses on income, not other critical factors that affect economic security. That’s why we need to expand the definition of living in poverty.

Our institutions and policies must support all people by providing fair work at a living wage and the supplemental income they need to thrive. Read more: https://www.povertylaw.org/article/alice-how-americas-workforce-is-falling-through-the-cracks/

09/05/2024

Earlier this year, Illinois joined over a dozen states in passing a child tax credit, putting money in the hands of families who need it most.

A coalition that includes the Shriver Center on Poverty Law worked hard to make this a reality. Coalition members are also advocating for the elimination of revenue from fines and fees and taxes that punish people living in poverty.

We wrote an impact post about our involvement in passing the state’s first-ever child tax credit, and what the ongoing fight for a more equitable future looks like. Check it out on our website: https://www.povertylaw.org/article/illinois-child-tax-credit/

09/02/2024

Happy !

We’re celebrating all workers today, and especially workers with low wages, most of whom are woman and people of color. Everyone should have basic workplace protections and living wages to sustain themselves financially, access quality health care, and take care of their family. We advocate for benefits and dignity for every working person — particularly those in the lowest paying and least protected jobs in the country.

Check out the recently released report from the Fund Our Futures coalition, which emphasizes the need for fairer wealth distribution: https://www.povertylaw.org/article/illinois-fund-our-futures/

08/28/2024

61 years ago today, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington.

His powerful, inspirational words came just months before President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the War on Poverty. That same year, our founder, Sargent Shriver, began to bring attorneys from across America together, with the goal of giving all individuals with low income access to legal services. The collaboration among policymakers, federal staff, and civil rights leaders led to real victories in the War on Poverty, transforming the lives of millions of Americans.

Dr. King and Sargent Shriver approached ending poverty using grassroots and legislative approaches, moving our nation along the path of progress.

08/27/2024

Everyone needs comprehensive, affordable health care to thrive.

Access to providers and medications are essential, but it takes a lot more to stay healthy. To see your doctor, you need money to pay for transit. To maintain a baseline of stability, you need a roof over your head.

That’s why the Shriver Center on Poverty Law is dedicated to supporting Illinois’ innovative proposal for Medicaid expansion. Illinois recently received federal approval to use Medicaid to fund programs that assist with nutrition, housing, violence reduction and prevention, and people transitioning out of incarceration. This makes Illinois the first state to tackle such a broad range of social factors via Medicaid.

Read more: https://www.povertylaw.org/article/illinois-to-use-medicaid-funds-for-more-than-medical-care

08/27/2024

Sign up for our newsletter to find out what we’re working on! This month, we’re highlighting:

-Why crime-free nuisance ordinances don’t keep communities safe
-Illinois’s Medicaid expansion to include things like nutrition and housing
-How America’s working class is falling through the cracks

Stay current with our news, learn about ways to get involved, and support our fight for a future free from racism and poverty. Check out past newsletters and sign up at https://us12.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=ecb7c62e980a3fc7d90581fbf&id=be1ea9929f

08/21/2024

Crime-free nuisance ordinances (CFNOs) don’t keep communities safe. Under these municipal laws, landlords can:

-evict victims of domestic violence and people with disabilities for contacting emergency services like the police or paramedics
-deny housing to people who’ve encountered the criminal legal system, leaving many homeless

Supporters claim CFNOs prevent crimes when these laws in fact cause harm to people who pose no risks.

That’s why the Shriver Center on Poverty Law serves in a coalition dedicated to passing the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act. The law would protect vulnerable communities from unfair discrimination and keep families in their homes. Read more: https://www.povertylaw.org/article/crime-free-nuisance-ordinances-dont-protect-communities/

08/20/2024

Did you know that we’re on Threads?

Keep up with us across social media! On Threads, we make bite-size versions of the posts you see here. We’re still fighting for racial and economic justice, no matter what platform you join us on.

Follow us on Threads here:

We fight for racial and economic justice. Join us in building a future where all people have equal dignity, respect, and power under the law. 356 Followers.

08/20/2024

60 years ago today, the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) was signed into law.

Our founder Sargent Shriver spearheaded this act as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. The creation of the EOA established many initiatives, including Job Corps, a job-training program for low-income young people, and Head Start, which was designed to help children from disadvantaged families in school.

Sarge’s involvement in the EOA directly led to the founding of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. In the decades since, we are still fighting for racial and economic justice for all.