Urban Justice Center announces opening of new office in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The Urban Justice Center is announcing the opening of its new office in Decatur.

The office is located at 269 W. Eldorado St. and will serve as a resource for supporting African American individuals in the community, with a focus on advocating for justice, equity, and support for first-time offenders navigating the judicial system.

The Urban Justice Center’s mission is "to address social justice issues affecting marginalized and underserved populations in Illinois."

"The need for this initiative is underscored by the systemic disparities in the justice system," The Urban Justice Center of Illinois said in a statement. "African-Americans, for example, are disproportionately impacted by policing practices; studies have shown that Black individuals are more than twice as likely as white individuals to be subjected to police use of force, and Black youth are over four times as likely to be detained in juvenile facilities compared to their white peers. These disparities highlight the urgency of providing support and advocacy to first-time offenders in African-American communities."

The Urban Justice Center is made up of community activists. The organization does not currently employ lawyers. However, there are plans to hire legal professionals in the future. The Center facilitates communication with public defenders or lawyers and reaches out to the State’s Attorney’s office on behalf of clients when necessary.

The Urban Justice Center, Illinois, provides support and resources in the following areas:

•Offering guidance for individuals needing legal assistance.

•Facilitating communication between clients and their public defenders or lawyers.

•Working with the State’s Attorney’s office on behalf of clients when necessary.

•Supporting individuals in achieving equitable treatment and advancement.