On Monday, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Commissioner Alma Anaya, Alderman George Cardenas, Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Representative Theresa Mah and Instituto del Progreso Latino (IPL) President & CEO, Karina Ayala-Bermejo to announce an $80,000 grant through Cook County’s Justice Advisory Council (JAC) to support Instituto del Progreso Latino’s restorative justice work in Cook County communities. The grant is a part of a $1.5 million investment to community-based organizations through the JAC aimed at creating stable and thriving communities throughout Cook County. The JAC grant will fund partial personnel costs and supplemental services for the Rudy Lozano Leadership Program within IPL’s Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy (IJLA). Founded in 1996, IJLA is a “second opportunity” high school designed to serve students between the ages of 16-21 years old, who are seeking a more personalized and individualized high school program. Funding provided by the grant will help ensure IJLA students have access to:

• Case management services

• Mental health services

• College and career counseling

• Paid work-based learning opportunities

• Community service experiences

• Restorative justice training

• Digital media storytelling classes