At this critical moment for tenant rights and protections across Illinois, bringing on a new partnership is essential to strengthening Beyond’s capacity, expanding our reach, and ensuring that tenants have the support they need to win lasting victories.

After six incredible years of service, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Josh Taylor, who is stepping down from our Board of Directors. Since joining the board in 2019, Josh has been a steadfast leader, thoughtful advisor, and passionate advocate for our mission.

After decades of housing policy disproportionately favoring landlords in Illinois, a long-overdue shift is beginning to emerge – one that places greater emphasis on the rights and protections of tenants.

Housing is more than just a roof over our heads – it's a basic human right. This principle is enshrined in international law, most notably in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the UDHR affirms that everyone has the right to adequate housing, a place that supports dignity, health, and well-being.

Happy #DisabilityIndependenceDay! To celebrate, we are putting the spotlight on our community partner, Jane Addams Senior Caucus (JASC). JASC is a power building 501c3 that supports the leadership of Chicago-area seniors and tenant families to transform their housing and communities.

This #PrideMonth, we’re proud to spotlight our community partner, OCAD Chicago. Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD) is an undocumented-led group that organizes against deportations, detention, criminalization, and incarceration of Black, brown, and immigrant communities in Chicago and beyond.

Asylum protections for Community Members (CMs) are vital now more than ever, especially in light of recent policy shifts and heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric from the current administration. If you missed the first two installments of our asylum series, check them out here. Learn about the historical context of asylum in the United States and gain insight into how immigration attorneys navigate these complex cases.

To close off May, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Community Members. May is AANHPI Heritage month and to celebrate, we are putting the spotlight on our Community Partner (CP) Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI).

The US faces an unprecedented backlog—over 2 million asylum applications are pending, and this number is likely to climb with increased global violence and political unrest.

Happy #MayDay! To celebrate, we are putting the spotlight on our community partner, Arise Chicago. Arise is a worker power organization that organizes low-paid immigrant workers and their faith community allies to take power in workplaces and win public policy changes that uplift all workers.