Common Ground Collective

This spring, CGC was proud to partner with Elevate 2 Educate and District 10A Board Member Che “Rhymefest” Smith for the Building Futures Series — a set of conversations focused on college and career readiness and expanding access to HBCUs for Chicago students.

Strong communities are built when students have access to information, mentorship, and pathways to opportunity. Partnerships like these help connect young people and families with the resources needed to prepare for the future, and we’re proud to support this work!

As the school year comes to a close, it’s a reminder of how much students, families, and educators carry throughout the year.
It’s also a reminder that outcomes don’t just happen in the classroom.
In Chicago, the role of the school board, city leadership, and broader policy decisions is to make sure students have the support, stability, and resources they need to succeed.
Showing up for students has to be consistent all year round. It’s why we stay engaged in the policies shaping student success across Chicago. Join us at cgcollective.org

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Access to mental health care in Chicago is still uneven and for too many people, getting support isn’t as simple as it should be. While long-term solutions are needed, there are resources available right now:

📌988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
📌NAMI Chicago Helpline: 833-626-4244
📌Illinois Warm Line (non-crisis support): 866-359-7953

Expanding access to care takes long-term policy work, but making sure people know where to turn is part of it too.

Did you know Brandon Johnson and his Health Dept. Commissioner voluntarily returned tens of millions of dollars in vital public health grants to the Trump administration - including dollars to monitor disease outbreaks and address racial disparities in public health? Enough with the mismanagement. Chicago deserves better.

Chicago health department leaves millions of federal COVID dollars on the table Mayor Brandon Johnson’s health commissioner voluntarily returned tens of millions in COVID-19 grants to the federal government months before expiration.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month — recognizing the contributions of Jewish communities to U.S. history, culture, and public life.
In Chicago, these communities have long shaped the city’s civic, cultural, and neighborhood fabric. From building institutions and leading in public service to advancing social justice and strengthening local communities, this legacy continues to inform the work of organizations and leaders across the city today.
At Common Ground Collective, we value the histories and perspectives that help build a more connected and inclusive Chicago.
Learn more about the history of this month at jewishamericanheritage.org

Want to stay connected to what’s actually moving in Chicago?
Join Common Ground Collective for updates on the policies, conversations, and decisions shaping the city — with a focus on what’s practical, realistic, and built to work.
Sign up here:

Common Ground Collective: Join Us We’re fighting for Chicago’s future today.

At Common Ground Collective, our work is grounded in Chicago.
We take a pragmatic, common-sense approach to progress by advancing policies that are not just ambitious, but workable. Solutions need to reflect how people live across neighborhoods and what it takes to deliver real results in this city.
Because progress here only matters if it’s something people can actually feel.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
CGC recognizes the impact of AAPI communities in shaping our city, and the work we do every day. From organizing to leadership to cultural contributions, these voices are essential in Chicago.
https://www.history.com/articles/asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month

May 1 marks International Workers’ Day, honoring the labor movement and the fight for an eight-hour workday. From Chicago to communities across the country, that legacy continues to shape the push for fair wages, safe conditions, and dignity for all workers.

Workers’ Memorial Day is a time to honor those who lost their lives at work and recognize the ongoing fight for safe and fair working conditions.
Every worker deserves dignity, safety, and protection. That’s why at CGC we are dedicated to educating and mobilizing local elected officials, building grassroots coalitions, and proactively engaging voters around effective progressive policies.https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/workplace/history-of-work-america-76a8ecbb?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfqPo7-QaQKXZymARGBl5sDHwaPcDQXpqp0-on_xBJXqsUJJTHKZazbP14Tpeo%3D&gaa_ts=69c45a77&gaa_sig=YOFN9Gpr-kKP9MNxmCOjWfAKqDhRCZB2gE4ySrADCSkT_2W4IXBBMfhR1W3V0AGvByScXxAI3M--JXLhMnbD7Q%3D%3D