The U.S. Senate will be voting after Thanksgiving on a bill to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour over the years. The bill would also increase the tipped minimum wage, which has been $2.13 an hour since 1991. Huge majorities across the political spectrum support an increase in the minimum wage. It's good for workers, good for local businesses, and it's the right thing to do. Tell Senators Begich and Murkowski: it's time to raise the minimum wage.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

Because brain did not deserve to die

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

Republicans like Lindsey Graham are attacking the diplomatic deal on Iran's nuclear program negotiated by President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. It would make a big difference in getting political acceptance for the deal if former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were to publicly come out and endorse the deal. There is an all hands on deck effort to support the President on this. Silence by Hillary is going to be perceived as a lack of support, not simply staying out of it. There is no neutral on some things. Sign our petition to Hillary urging her to publicly support the diplomatic deal with Iran.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

We only have two weeks until the budget deadline. We are counting on you as our representative to work across the aisle to pass a budget that 1.) ends the automatic cuts and prevents new cuts to education and vital services; 2.) invests in schools and jobs; and 3.) puts our economy on sound fiscal footing by closing $100 billion in corporate tax loopholes.

Update: August 26, 2015 There have been over 200 mass shootings since we initially posted this petition and horrific shooting events continue to take place across the country. Stronger gun laws won't entirely solve our gun death and injury epidemic, but lawmakers can be part of the solution. We need to keep the pressure on members of Congress to pass a stronger background check bill, among other important gun reforms. Background checks are an important way to stop prohibited people from purchasing guns. In the last 20 years, over 2 million prohibited people have been stopped from buying guns. Nevertheless, holes still exist via online sales, newspaper ads, at gun shows (in most states) and between individuals. Let's remind members of Congress that they have the power to reduce gun deaths and injuries. Send a message to your House and Senate members to finish the job.

BYP100 Chicago is a local Chapter of the Black Youth Project 100, a collective of 18-35 year old Black activists dedicated to achieving freedom and justice for all Black people. We are joining the efforts of Project Nia and Decarcerate Illinois and urging all Illinois residents to call on our State Legislature to oppose SB1342. SB1342 is a policy that criminalizes Black bodies as the source of gun violence in our communities. It does so at the expense of holding gun manufactures and sellers accountable. It will lead to more Black people incarcerated and not get at the root cause of violence within our communities, which is lack of social, economic and political resources.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

In retail, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are the only two holidays that workers traditionally receive. Now that many stores are choosing to open on Thanksgiving, that break is being taken away, denying retail workers the rare opportunity to spend a holiday with their families. And most of these workers are only being paid minimum wage for their trouble. A holiday should not be a luxury for the rich – all workers deserve time to spend with loved ones.