From the state capitol to community impact: A reflection

Thirteen years ago, I first came to the Illinois Capitol as a caffeine-fueled junior reporter, to ask questions. This past May, I came back with JUF—to ask for action on issues that matter to our community. 

JUF’s Springfield Advocacy Mission began in Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ suite, where we hosted legislators and policymakers over pastries and policy. JUF staff and leaders from CJE SeniorLife, Libenu, JCFS Chicago, and Keshet guided lawmakers through complex issues: gaps in dementia care, zoning that limits group homes, funding rules that penalize agencies serving the most fragile residents, and the security needs of vital nonprofits. 

Later, we visited the House and Senate galleries. Most of what happens on the legislative floor is a fast clip of bill numbers and motions, one after another. Resolutions break that pace to honor a group or cause—that day, it was ours. Lawmakers rose for Jewish American Heritage Month and spoke personally about what the community means to them. A resolution doesn’t change a law, but it signifies the legislature putting on the record, by a real vote, that the Jewish community is part of who Illinois is. 

Each year, we return with deeper relationships, and when things go well, more momentum. This year, there was real movement. The dementia-services age limitation and group home funding penalty were both resolved in a single end-of-session bill. And the final budget included increased funding for nonprofit security grants. The zoning bill stalled, but negotiations will continue this summer. 

None of this happens in just one trip. The wins that landed this spring were set up by conversations the year before, and the unfinished items are the start of next year’s conversations.  

That’s the work: showing up, making the case, and coming back to make it again. I’ll be ready next May. 

Marc Karlinsky is the State Vice Chair of JUF Government Affairs.