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UPCOMING VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON TRAININGS
We offer regular, free, public, and/or custom advocacy training for individuals and organizations interested in influencing the state legislative process in Illinois. Our training begins with a set of basics, including information about how the process works and how to engage in the process in a constructive way. We also offer more in-depth training for seasoned advocates who are looking to be more effective working in partnerships or dealing with tough opposition. While our focus is on criminal justice reform, the training can be useful in other issue areas.
Trainings can be held in person or virtually. See below for public sessions in the coming weeks. If you would like custom training for your organization or network, please contact Jobi Cates at jcates@restorejustice.org.
SEPTEMBER ADVOCACY TRAINING: HOLDING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS – VIRTUAL
Tuesday, September 28, 5-6:30 pm
In this training, you will learn how to build relationships, and lead effective meetings with your legislators. We will also give you an in-depth look into some of Restore Justice’s legislative priorities and prepare you to meet with your state legislators.
This FREE training is open to individuals and organizations interested in advocating for legislation addressing extreme sentencing in Illinois, especially youth.
OCTOBER ADVOCACY TRAINING: HOW STATE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY WORKS 101 – IN PERSON
Saturday, October 9, 10 am-12 pm
During our training, you will learn about the legislative process in Illinois and how a bill really becomes a law, develop skills to navigate Springfield, and build support for issues that matter to you.
The FREE training is open to individuals and organizations interested in advancing change in our state through the legislative process in Springfield. While our focus is on criminal legal reform, we try to make our training useful for any issue. This training will take place in Chicago’s River North neighborhood and will be limited to 25 people. The address will be shared after you register.
NOVEMBER ADVOCACY TRAINING: HOW STATE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY WORKS 101 – VIRTUAL
Wednesday, November 10, 3:30-5 pm
The FREE training is open to individuals and organizations interested in advancing change in our state through the legislative process in Springfield. While our focus is on criminal legal reform, we try to make our training useful for any issue.
During our training, you will learn about the legislative process in Illinois and how a bill really becomes a law, develop skills to navigate Springfield, and build support for issues that matter to you.
State Legislative Advocacy 101
- Learn about legislative advocacy, and understand when and why it is useful
- Familiarize yourself with how a bill becomes a law in Illinois
- Develop skills to help you navigate a day in Springfield
- Identify your representatives
- Practice key research tools to understand how representatives are influenced
- Map your influence
Who usually attends?
- Staff from non-profit organizations who are new to policy advocacy or want a refresher
- Members of faith groups and clergy
- Formerly incarcerated people
- Family members of incarcerated people
- Students at all different levels
- Activists from movements or campaigns
- Members of the gun violence prevention movement who are interested in learning more about CJ reform
- Professionals who want to use their advocacy time more effectively
Organizations that have utilized our training:
- BUILD
- DePaul Students Against Incarceration
- IL-CHEP
- Goldin Institute
- Metropolitan Planning Council
- Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation
- Willow Creek Prison Ministry
What our trainees say:
“Thank you again for hosting the Advocacy Camp last week! It was such perfect timing for me as I started my new role at the [gov. criminal justice policy org] only a week earlier and needed a refresher course. I so much appreciate your thoughtful responses to the questions I’d been thinking about. You, Marshan, and Julie are excellent facilitators and I’d love to take part in any other trainings you may have in the future.” – young criminal justice advocate, new to role at government organization
“I think I am still on a cloud after your teaching last Saturday! What a gift you were to our group. … We all learned so much, and you just have a great way of sharing your heart on a complicated topic!” – leader of prison ministry in suburban church
“Thank you! I learned so much. I have a nephew in IDOC facing a life sentence, this was his first offense.” – public health outreach worker
“I was going to write you a letter telling you how good your panel-hosting and presentation were at the recent event at Lewis University, but then I went to Restore Justice’s website and saw something coming up soon. I’m free if you want me to attend [again]. I loved it!” – state senator
“I’ve done this training before but I keep coming because I learn something new every time.” – former juvenile lifer
“I’m glad I came because as a gun violence advocate, I need to understand how this works and how to talk about things in a way that does not hurt other people.” – parent of gun violence victim