RAC-IL and the Passage of Karina’s Law: Organizing and Action
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Illinois (RAC-IL) played a pivotal role in the passage of Karina's Law. In July 2023, Karina Gonzalez and her 15-year-old daughter were shot and killed allegedly by her husband. Karina had an order of protection against her husband which revoked his FOID card, but authorities never actually removed his Glock 17 9mm handgun from the home. Karina's Law clarifies and strengthens the law to require a firearm like the one used to murder Karina Gonzalez be removed from a home when a domestic abuse survivor is granted an order of protection with the firearm remedy.
The Jewish Community of Illinois has felt the scourge of gun violence and domestic violence. We recognized the urgency of acting on our deep commitment to the Jewish values of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and tikkun olam (repairing the world).
RAC-IL organized its statewide network of congregations and activists to help move this bill forward. The campaign began by educating members of our congregations and communities on the danger victims of domestic violence face from gun violence. We joined together for a campaign launch where we learned Karina's Law would make a profound difference to one of our most vulnerable populations because risk of intimate-partner homicide increases 500% when abusers have access to a gun. Coupled with the fact that leaving a domestic violence relationship is a period of elevated risk - especially when survivors file an order of protection with the courts.
RAC-IL worked with a coalition of partners, legal advocates, and family members of affected individuals. This collaborative approach amplified the call for legislative action. RAC-IL's grassroots efforts were particularly impactful, as congregants made phone calls, emailed their legislators, submitted witness slips, and met with legislators including with Senator Julie Morrison a co-sponsor of the bill who advised us on to how better advocate for the bill passage and helped us gain more cosponsors.
Our advocacy always emphasized the moral imperative of enacting this legislation, framing it as a matter of justice and safety. This message resonated deeply with legislators and helped secure bipartisan backing for the bill.
RAC-IL's work to make Illinois the most just of land of Lincoln possible will continue. That said, we believe in celebrating our victories - they help to fuel our continuing commitment to the work. This week we can celebrate that by organizing our congregations to work together to take action around Karina's bill, RAC-IL played an important role in helping to turn Karina's Bill into Karina's Law.
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