Latest news with #VioletJohnicker
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rockford congregations walk for justice across the city on Good Friday
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Urban Ministries led multiple congregations on an interfaith prayer walk for justice across the city for Good Friday. The walk began outside Emmanuel Episcopal Church on North Church Street this morning. People across several different Christian faiths stopped 14 times throughout downtown, each stop to represent a station of the cross. The goal of the walk was to spread the gospel by applying Jesus' teachings and traditions to modern issues that divide and impact the community. 'So, we'll travel to 14 different locations in downtown Rockford and pray outside of civic buildings, outside of churches, outside of social service agencies, and pray for those who work there, people who are impacted by different issues,' said Rockford Urban Ministries Reverand Violet Johnicker. 'We remember how Jesus himself was incarcerated. And so we pray particularly for an end to mass incarceration,' Johnicker continued. 'The 14 stations have changed year to year, but we continue to always do 14 in the tradition of the stations of the cross and the Catholic Church.' The gathering marked the 37th year that congregations across the city have participated in the Good Friday Walk for Justice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois debates Clean Slate Act to seal or expunge eligible criminal records
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Clean Slate Act, currently under consideration in the General Assembly, would create an automated system to seal or expunge eligible criminal records, offering individuals with past convictions a fresh start. 'We talked to over 100 legislators and every one of us that we've talked to so far has been really excited about passing clean slate legislation,' said Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, the executive director of Live Free. 'The system is problematic,' she continued. 'If everyone who was eligible to have their records sealed went down to the courthouse, it will take 154 years for them to actually seal all of those cases because of the backlog.' Advocates for the Clean Slate Initiative say that a criminal record creates barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities. The plan would automate the process, automatically clearing an offender's record once they become eligible for relief. Rev. Violet Johnicker, pastor of Brooke Road United Methodist Church, said, 'So, people think, 'oh, well, they've served their time. Why don't they just go get a job?' Because we unfortunately, as a society, and particularly Illinois, continue to place obstacles in the way of those folks who are working to better themselves and be meaningful, doing good contributions back to society So we want to remove those barriers and get themselves back on their feet.' The Clean Slate Act has been passed in 12 states. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
