Lawndale Christian Legal Center

04/24/2026

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is launching a search for our next Managing Director of Community Holistic Defense. This licensed attorney is responsible for the quality, consistency and impact of our core defense model to ensure that every client receives high-quality representation grounded in holistic and restorative justice practices. The director will oversee an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers and community
partners.

Learn more:
https://drgtalent.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Lawndale-Christian-Legal-Center_Managing-Director-Community-Holistic-Defense.pdf

04/23/2026

03/17/2026

Thank you Lakesia for State Senator so much for pioneering this alternative to incarceration for our young men. They are worth every penny of this investment. Thank you!

North Lawndale deserves more than jail beds. We deserve second chances, and the Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center does that.

I was proud to secure $7.5 million to help build this place as a beacon of restoration, accountability and opportunity to build a stronger community for years to come.

03/09/2026

More than a century ago, Illinois pioneered the approach to treat children differently than adults in the criminal justice system. Today, we know that brain science says the prefrontal cortex – which controls decision-making and emotions – is not fully developed until age 25 or later.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center applauds Senator Lakesia Collins and Representative Lisa Davis for filing legislation to create the Emerging Adult Task Force. This panel would convene stakeholders to craft systems, legislation, and policies to address 18 to 25 year olds differently than adults in the criminal justice system.

Read more about this innovative plan to reduce recidivism, create safer communities, and save taxpayer dollars:

https://lclc.net/we-support-the-emerging-adult-task-force/

LCLC supports the Emerging Adult Task Force. Contact your state lawmaker today and ask them to vote for Senate Bill 3316 and House Bill 5434.

01/21/2026

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is launching a search for our next Vice President of Advancement. This leader will help expand our community of supporters and sustain our work alongside people most impacted by the justice system. Please share with your networks.

01/21/2026

It’s called CVI, and it works. The more we invest in community-violence intervention, the more the crime rate goes down. Check out Risa Lanier, Vice President of Operations and Policy, talk about how stimulating job growth and access to resources in under-resourced communities increases public safety.

Thanks to More Perfect Union for taking the deep dive into this discussion.

Trump has long targeted Chicago, calling it the "most dangerous city in the world."But homicides were down 30% last year, even as Trump cut crime prevention ...

01/21/2026

We pause to remember the life, work and words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We keep our compass pointed to his vision of America in which equal treatment for all is not just an ideal – but a reality we must always seek.

There are countless quotes from Dr. King’s speeches and writings that can be applied to the present day and to the community-based support we champion for youth and emerging adults in North Lawndale.

‘Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.’ Dr. King wrote these words through the lens of ‘injustice anywhere’ – knowing that it is a threat to ‘justice everywhere.’ We understand and support that statement, and we also view it through the lens of hope and opportunity.

When we directly change the trajectory of one individual’s life, we are indirectly reshaping the lives of their children and grandchildren.

That creates stronger communities for all.

01/06/2026

We kicked off the new year with a Sunday suite-naming ceremony at the Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center.

The theme for the day was ‘Flourish’ and the name given to the apartment where young men will live as we walk them through, and away from, the justice system.

These investments create a legacy that inspires other young men to join us in one of our 20 suites, changing the trajectory of individuals and their children.

This residential workforce development model plants the seeds to a future and breaks the cycle of incarceration.

We are so thankful to our supporters who sponsored this room, make this work possible and invest in the young people of North Lawndale.