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Take direct political action.

Restore Justice Illinois engages in direct political action at the state level to help elect candidates who will support and protect criminal legal system reform. Join our Political Action Team today!

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Meet The Team

Restore Justice Illinois (RJI) is a 501(c)(4) organization that utilizes its resources to engage in direct legislative advocacy in Illinois.

Read about our focus areas

Current work

Preparing for election season

During the “off-season,” we are anything but off. We work year-round to build relationships with legislators, identify and support candidates who represent our values, and educate and train the public on our issues.

Senior black woman smiling at the state capitol

Elections groundwork

We believe our legislators should know, represent, and be us. This is why we lay the groundwork for people directly impacted by incarceration and the criminal legal system to make their voices heard in our local elections.

Learn about our pre-election work.
Asian woman speaking

Get to know your local legislators

Building a personal relationship with your legislators is one of the best ways to be an effective advocate. We encourage you to find out who your legislators are and build relationships with them.

Get to know your legislators

Important upcoming dates

Candidate Filing Period for 2026 Elections | October 27 – November 3

Between October 27 and November 3, established party candidates can file nomination papers for the 2026 General Primary Election.

Primary Election | March 17, 2026

The General Primary Election will be held on March 17, 2026.

General Election | November 3, 2026

The General Election will be held on November 3, 2026.

Visit the Illinois State Board of Elections

Illinois Gubernatorial Election | November 3, 2026

Illinois elections, including for governor, will be held on November 3, 2026.

Read How We Decide Who To Support

impact

Legislative reform alone cannot achieve the change our communities need in Illinois. This is why we supplement our policy work with electoral work.

Read About Our Impact

area of focus

Our unique angle

We believe in the possibility of rehabilitation, redemption, and reunification with the community for all people who are incarcerated. We focus on mitigating the harms of excessive sentences by guiding the Illinois General Assembly to make good policy based on principled legal analysis, best practices in other states, guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court, and international law.

Read About Our Focus

What reform means

What does it truly mean to reform our carceral system in Illinois? We aim to center the voices of those most harmed by Illinois’ unjust criminal legal policies of the past to create compassionate, smart, and safe policies for the future.

Read More

How a bill becomes a law in Illinois

The process of a policy idea becoming law is lengthy and complicated. Every bill needs a sponsor to shepherd it through the General Assembly, navigate deadlines, work with any opposition, and balance competing priorities. Learn more about the journey a bill takes to become a law.

Learn more

Community

Volunteer with our Political Action Team

Join our Political Action Team and help elect Illinois legislative candidates who will protect important criminal legal system reforms and work to continue making progress in our state. Members of the Action Team help get out the vote for legislators who believe in compassion.

Take action

Learn more with Restore Justice Foundation

Our “sister” organization, Restore Justice Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) that conducts outreach, engages in research, provides advocacy training, educates policymakers, and supports partnerships with other criminal legal system reform efforts. Check out RJF’s website to learn more.

Visit Restore Justice Foundation