Prairie State Wire

The Healing Illinois initiative has been announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, intended to address ongoing racial disparities that have come to light during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Healing Illinois is a bold new initiative pioneered by our own Department of Human Services (IDHA) to support meaningful dialogue regarding race and racism – conversations that we must have in order to move us toward the progress we seek," Pritzker said in a release. "In order to truly fight inequities and build a better, more inclusive Illinois, we have to be able to articulate the history of personal, institutional and structural racism that got us here – and, just as importantly, the modern iterations of personal, institutional and structural racism that hold us back today. 

"As a part of my commitment to healing, we’ve allocated $4.5 million to provide grants to community-based organizations of all sizes to help create community-centric, inclusive spaces to talk, learn and grow. The Chicago Community Trust has stepped up as our intermediary for this work and will be distributing our funds around the state, and I’m genuinely grateful for their assistance.”

The state is partnered with the Chicago Community Trust to provide residents the means to a new grant program. 

“We are dealing with two pandemics – COVID-19 and systemic racism. Healing Illinois will advance the conversation and shine a light on the process of collective healing,” Stratton said in the release. “What we know is hurt people hurt people, and healed people heal people. In Illinois, we are leading the way; moving with all deliberate speed in the direction of justice, equity and opportunity for all.”

The partnership is working to distribute grants totaling $4.5 million for racial healing. Grants will be awarded in two rounds, with the first application deadline on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The deadline for the second round is Friday, Oct. 30. 

“It requires courage and strength to engage in racial healing activities. Our state and country have had much to grapple with this past year,” Grace Hou, secretary of IDHS, said in the release. “If we are to learn from the past and strive for a more equitable future, healing and understanding are necessary components of that path forward. Healing Illinois is an opportunity to recognize and understand our common humanity, acknowledge humankind, and build trust amongst communities.”

Those wanting to apply must be a 502(c)(3) in good standing with the state. They must also be Grant Accountability and Transparency certified (GATA).

Those lacking GATA certification may still be able to apply if they work with an intermediary. 

“Our city, our region and our nation are at a pivotal moment where we must do the work necessary to rebuild stronger than where we started prior to COVID-19,” Helene Gayle, president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, said in the release. “We stand committed to working alongside community partners and leaders to dismantle systemic racism and the structures that led to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Black and Latinx communities and that perpetuate inequity,” Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, told My Radio Link. 

More information on the program can be found at www.healing.illinois.gov.