Illinois Humanities

This Juneteenth, we reflect on freedom and the work still ahead.

Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond, Envisioning Justice Community Hub Partner, uses art, storytelling, and community dialogue to confront the ongoing impacts of mass incarceration in Illinois, one of today’s most urgent freedom issues.

Through the East Side Arts Collective and an upcoming mural marking the nation’s 250th, Dr. Redmond and local artists are asking: whose stories are remembered, and whose freedom is still unfinished?

Because Juneteenth isn’t just history, it’s a call to continue the work laid by generations before us.

Read the full spotlight at: ilhumanities.org/news/dr-treasure-spotlight

Join us for a presentation on nonprofit compliance with Vicki Garza, a seasoned nonprofit finance and operations executive with more than 30 years of experience, on June 30, 2026 from 12:00pm - 1:15pm.

The Envisioning Justice Breaking Bread series is a 75-minute lunch gathering centered on connection and conversation, bringing together partners and community members to share ideas, build relationships, and imagine new possibilities.

RSVP for free at ilhumanities.org/events/ej-breaking-bread-2

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As an intermediary of Healing Illinois, an initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Humanities is proud to support community partners advancing equity across our state.

This video from HOPE Fair Housing Center highlights the real impact of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and the barriers that still exist for voucher holders, even with Source of Income protections in place.

By centering the voices of those directly impacted, this work reminds us why continued investment in equity and opportunity matters.

Watch and learn more about how Healing Illinois grantees are driving change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JeaEFtnK6Y&feature=youtu.be

Sectioned Off: Realities of the Housing Choice Voucher Program The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as "Section 8") ...

Illinois Voices 250 is coming to a town near you.

At Illinois 250 Community Recording Days, residents can stop by and share their stories for the Illinois Voices 250 project. Learn more at: il250.org/community-recording-days

These pop-up recording opportunities make it easy for people to participate by visiting a local event and recording a short message about their experiences, memories, and hopes for Illinois.

Each story helps preserve the voices of today for future generations as we celebrate Illinois’ 250th anniversary.

Upcoming Recording Days:

📍 Marshall – June 18
📍 Macomb & Lerna – June 20
📍 Chicago (Little Village) – June 25
📍 Quincy – June 26–27
📍 Peoria – July 8
📍 Springfield (State Fair) – Aug 13–22

Deadline approaching: Envisioning Justice Grant Letters of Intent are due June 12, 2026.

Artists, scholars, journalists, and organizations across Illinois, don't miss this opportunity, We’re now accepting applications for the next round of Envisioning Justice funding.

Learn more at ilhumanities.org/grants

Grants Together we support vibrant cultural work statewide and increase Illinoisans' access to the transformative power of the public humanities .

Join Public Humanities Awards honoree Damon A. Williams on June 13 at It’s On Us: A Day of Art and Action at the DuSable Black History Museum & Education Center.

Damon, a movement builder, organizer, hip-hop performing artist, and co-founder of Respair Production & Media and AirGo, is part of the duo we’re proud to honor at this year’s PHA alongside Daniel Kisslinger.

Together, their work has helped reshape Chicago’s cultural landscape through storytelling, organizing, and movement journalism.

Join Damon for a festival that asks: What blooms when ICE melts?

Rather than turning away in times of repression, this gathering invites you to engage the senses and imagine how freedom might look, feel, sound, smell, and taste.

RSVP at the link in our bio or at go.uic.edu/iou

The Power of Song in Democracy, a musical presentation by Chris Vallilo, brings American history to life through music from the Revolutionary War to protest songs of the 1950s and 60s.

Sunday, June 28 | 3:30–5:00 p.m.
John C. Flanagan House Museum, 942 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria
Free public event

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. RSVP: 309-674-1921 or [email protected]

Sponsored by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau

We’re proud to support this upcoming program with our partner, Walls Turned Sideways, Inside Audio: Vinyl Records Recorded in Midwest Jails and Prisons on June 12 from 6:30–8:30 PM

Join artists, archivists, and designers Josh MacPhee and Marc Fischer for a powerful listening session drawn from a rare collection of records created in Illinois jails and prisons, from the early 1970s to early 1980s.

This program offers a window into a little-known period when incarcerated musicians recorded and outside communities were welcomed in to collaborate.

Learn more at wallsturnedsideways.org

Education opens doors and everyone deserves a key🔑

The Odyssey Project is helping adult learners across Chicago restart their educational journeys in a supportive, community-centered space, all at no cost.

From literature to history to critical thinking, students gain up to 11 transferable college credits while building community and connection. Classes are available in both English and Spanish.

Applications are open through June 15, apply today at ilhumanities.org/odyssey

The Odyssey Project The Odyssey Project believes that education is liberatory and should be accessible to all. This free college program empowers adult learners to…

A record breaking 1,063 young people from across Illinois submitted poems to this year’s Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards.

Judging is now underway, but today we’re celebrating every student who took the step to write and submit. We’re glad you’re part of this community.

Read Program Manager of Teaching and Learning Margy LaFreniere’s reflection on this year’s awards and the history behind them. From Gwendolyn Brooks’ work with young writers decades ago to the vibrant community of poets across Illinois today.

Read more at: ilhumanities.org/news/lineage-and-legacies