Blog

Keep up to date with the latest blog posts from our staff & GCI collaborators. Blogs may not necessarily reflect the opinions of GCI, UIC, or other official positions.

Report Release: 2023 Chicago Budget Community Engagement Report

On October 3, 2022 Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivered her $16.4 billion budget for the City of Chicago to City Council. In July, the City conducted a community engagement process and partnered with UIC’s Neighborhoods Initiative (UICNI) at the Great Cities Institute to design and engagement activities around the City’s 2023 […]

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Gangs on Trial: A Conversation with John Hagedorn

I believe research needs to be understood outside of “truth for its own sake,” and deliberately designed to benefit those in powerless communities, especially those who are stigmatized and demonized. If social scientists will not defend the powerless, what values do we have?

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Between a Bullet and Its Target

Street intervention work involves proactive community engagement of individuals who are involved in gangs, cliques, or other street organizations to reduce their risk of violence perpetration or victimization.

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Women who Ignited the Environmental Justice Movement

At a time when the term, environmental justice, is being used more widely, it is worthwhile to learn more about the roots of the term and of the Environmental Justice Movement, particularly to understand how the very poisoning of communities of color is directly tied to the conditions that are pushing us closer to climate catastrophe.

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Positive Hopes and Dreams: Rest in Power Timuel Black

Timuel Black, civil rights activist, educator, and historian joined his ancestors on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.  He will be laid to rest on Wednesday, October 20th in a private service at the First Unitarian Church in Hyde Park. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 5th.

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