Ascend Justice will support policies, laws, and programs that:
- Address the root causes of suffering and struggle;
- Enable the basic needs (e.g. food, housing, clothing, employment, transportation, child care) of individuals and families to be met in their communities;
- Enhance services, resources and concrete supports for individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence and systems;
- Incorporate and rely upon the voices and lived experiences of individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence and systems;
- Support the self-determination of individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence and systems;
- Push systems toward self-reflection and reform;
- Make imagining liberation under oppression thinkable;
- Rebuild systems to be family-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based, and equity-focused;
- Are anti-racist and pro-equity;
- Transform harm; and
- Manifest healing justice.
2021
Domestic Violence Fatality Review
HB 3161 / SB 685 – Rep. Maurice A. West, II and Sen. Celina Villanueva
Ascend Justice worked with Representative Maurice A. West, II, Senator Celina Villanueva, and a robust statewide coalition to build support for a law that establishes a statewide committee and regional review teams to conduct domestic violence fatality reviews and to advise the Governor and General Assembly on domestic violence prevention policy.
This is a significant milestone for victims and survivors of domestic violence, as well as their families and communities. We are hopeful that the fatality review processes across the state will result in reforms that interrupt the cycle of domestic violence and save lives.
Status: Passed both houses and signed into law by Governor Pritzker on August 20th, 2021
Updated October 2021