 A Message From the Director
As the weather warms up, we are energized and ready to reconnect with our neighbors and communities. Historically, the change in the weather is also when we brace for more violence. While we acknowledge this pattern, we do not accept it.
This Spring, the JAC and our partners are hosting a variety of events that will help us reframe this season as a time to build peace through community and connection. When we come together to share information and ideas, we re-center the power of community to bring about safety and justice. Together, we can and will build safer, stronger communities. We hope you join us!
- Avik Das, Executive Director
Events
Gun Violence Awareness Month Film Screening: Love is Not Enough
Join the JAC for a special screening of the award-winning film, Love is Not Enough. Held during Gun Violence Awareness Month, this free community engagement event will honor survivors of gun violence and explore pathways to change. Event will include dinner, a 1-hour screening and a panel discussion with the filmmaker, Valerie Goodloe. Door prizes will be available for attendees at the event.
|
|
 |
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 4:00 - 7:00pm.
Kennedy King College, 740 W 63rd St Chicago
Register for the screening here by Friday, May 29th. Space is limited and registration is required.
Job Readiness Fair: A People’s Plan Event
Hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, Mayor’s Office of Health & Human Services, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and City Colleges of Chicago, this event provides career guidance, resume and interview help, job search tips and sealing and expungement information.
Fireside Chat on the Cook County Just Housing Amendment
 |
|
Join the Cook County Commission on Human Rights for Measuring the Impact: A Fireside Chat on Cook County’s Just Housing Amendment.
The event will discuss findings from the Just Housing Amendment (JHA) Impact Assessment Report and explore what these findings mean for justice-impacted individuals living in Cook County. The JHA prohibits housing discrimination based on arrest or conviction history. The impact assessment involved two years of research looking at the ongoing successes and challenges of the JHA.
|
May 27, 11:00am – 12:30pm, at 69 West Washington, Chicago (22nd Floor, Conference Room B)
Cook County Job Fair
May 27, 2026
9:30am – 4:00pm
Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago
Cook County Government is hiring across departments, offering roles that directly support the health, safety, and well-being of our communities.
|
Hospitality Hires Chicago
Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 9:00am - 3:00pm
Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is hosting the 9th annual Hospitality Hires event. This multi-industry hiring event connects ready to hire employers across diverse sectors with qualified career seekers who may get conditional job offers at the event. Employers from the hospitality, healthcare, transportation and logistics, and other high-demand industries will participate.
Race Against Gun Violence
Join the JAC in the Strides for Peace Race Against Gun Violence on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:00pm.
This annual event supports local organizations on the front lines of building peace in communities. Organizations can raise funds, host a booth or simply participate in the event alongside residents. Learn more and sign up at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Chicago/RaceAgainstGunViolence
|
Navigating the Cook County Justice System
|
Do you have a court case?
This free resource fair helps residents better understand the court system and connect with legal aid and community resources. Staff from key county agencies and partner organizations will be on site to share information, answer questions, and help you navigate available resources.
June 6, 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Hamilton Park Cultural Center Fieldhouse, 514 W 72nd St, Chicago
Register here for the Resource Fair
|
|
 |
Funding Opportunity: Reentry Services RFQ
The JAC has an open Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for reentry services. The RFQ will identify community-based non-profit organizations equipped to provide services in one or more of the following categories:
- Housing Navigation and Rental Assistance
- Transitional Housing
- Case Coordination
- Transportation
Applications are due on May 26, 2026 at 5pm. For more information and to apply, visit CookCountyIL.gov/JACGrants
|
