2024 Endorsements

JCUA Votes is proud to endorse Graciela Guzmán for Illinois Senate in the 20th District! With a growing Jewish community on the Northwest side of Chicago and its suburbs, we’re excited to knock doors (starting this Sunday!) and mobilize our members to get her elected on March 19, 2024.

Following an endorsement process that included candidate questionnaires and interviews, JCUA Votes members, Political Committee, and Board voted to endorse Graciela. Members have written the following statement explaining our support:

Graciela has dedicated herself to serving her community through organizing, legislative action, and mutual aid. She has fought for equitable access to housing and health care, pushed for fairer tax models, and championed compassionate immigration reform.

In all of her pursuits, Graciela has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the principles of co-governance and boasts an impressive record of partnering with community-based organizations across the city and state.

Graciela was Chief of Staff for the previous State Senator of the 20th District, Cristina Pacione-Zayas. She knows what it takes to collaborate with community members and elected officials to pass legislation that can have a meaningful impact on residents’ quality of life.

Graciela proudly supports Bring Chicago Home. She is dedicated to ensuring more resources are allocated to support immigrants and new arrivals. She has fought for legislation to ensure that Illinois invests more funding in the state’s mental health care infrastructure; backing the Treatment Not Trauma campaign, Graciela recognizes that bolstering our mental health care system is a necessary and effective tool to prevent violence and build thriving communities.

We know that as State Senator, she will be a stalwart partner in JCUA Votes’s work for a more progressive and just Illinois.

Bring Chicago Home

JCUA Votes members have voted to endorse the Bring Chicago Home ballot measure!

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) estimates that 68,000 people, including 20,000 children, are currently experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Our city lags far behind other major cities in spending on homelessness. We need a long-term, “housing first” solution that provides relief to our neighbors and addresses the root causes of homelessness. Bring Chicago Home (BCH) is that solution.

BCH would increase the one-time tax levied when properties valued at more than $1 million are bought and sold. This would apply to less than 5 percent of property transactions, but would generate approximately $160 million in new revenue each year that would be dedicated to funding affordable housing and supportive services like mental health counseling and job training.

Learn more about Bring Chicago Home here.

Our Endorsement Process

JCUA Votes goes through an intentional and democratic endorsement process. The Political Committee first solicits proposals from JCUA Votes members about the races in which we should explore making endorsements. After reviewing proposals, the Political Committee decides on the races to explore. When interviewing and evaluating candidates for endorsements, JCUA Votes relies on the following criteria: support for our issue-based campaigns; alignment with JCUA Votes organizational values; experience with community organizing and social justice advocacy; commitment to co-governance; demonstration of a strong path to victory; and alignment with JCUA Votes partner organizations.