Arise Chicago, established in 1991 by religious leaders, is an interfaith non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic and social justice in the workplace. All religious traditions believe in the rights of workers to have their dignity in the workplace. Drawing on our sacred scriptures that proclaim that each person has been created in the image of God and therefore deserving of respect, we believe that all workers should be: 

• Paid a living wage that allows them to meet the basic needs of their families;
• Provided with full healthcare benefits for them and their families;
• Employed by companies that abide by all applicable laws – including proper minimum wage and overtime payment;
• As stated by law, able to freely join a collective bargaining unit without harassment, intimidation, or retaliation;
• Treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

 

Signatories include:

 

Rev. Jose Acevedo, Jr. Church Monte De Zion, Chicago

Fr. Arthur Anderson, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Rev. David K. Antieau, St. Nicolai United Church of Christ, Chicago

Rev. Rufino Arce, Church Of God, Chicago

Rev. Thomas A. Barclay, Intl Presiding Elder, United Pentecostal Council, Assemblies of God

Rev. Jesusa Barreto, Inglesia de cristo Misionera, Chicago

Fr. Jim Barrett, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. Bonnie Beckonchrist, Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church

Fr. JoAndre Beltran, St. Ita’s Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. Liala Beukema, Lakeview Lutheran Church, Chicago

Rev. Betty Jo Birkhahn­Rommelfanger, Holy Covenant Church, Chicago

Rev. Rachel Birkhahn­Rommelfanger, Berry United Methodist Church, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Phil Blackwell, Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church

Fr. William Blazek, S.J., Integritas Institute for Ethics, UIC, Chicago

Fr. Thomas Boharic, St. Agnes of Bohemia Catholic Church, Chicago

Sr. Jane Boland, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, River Forest

Fr. Jeremiah Boland, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Glenview

Fr. Charles Bolser, C.S.V., Saint Viator Catholic Church, Chicago

Sr. Pat Borchardt, Congregations of St. Joseph, LaGrange

Rev. William Bordonaro, Bethany United Church of Christ, Chicago

Rev. Erin Bouman, Irving Park Lutheran Church, Chicago

Sr. Kate Brenner, School Sisters of St. Francis, Mount Prospect

Fr. Corey Brost, Clerics of St. Viator, Arlington Heights

Rev. Dr. Norval I. Brown, Thornton United Methodist Church/Grace Church, Thornton

Rev. Dave Buerstetta, Woodridge United Methodist Church, Woodridge

Fr. Bob Casey, St. Barbara’s Catholic Church, Brookfield

Rev. Noel Castellanos, CEO, Christian Community Development Association

Rev. Cerna Castro­Rand, Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, Elk Grove Village

Rev. Barbara Cathey, Edgewater Presbyterian Church, Chicago

Fr. Pat Cecil, St. Mary of the Woods Parish, Chicago

Rev. Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M., Assumption Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. Erik Christensen, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square, Chicago

Fr. Wenceslaus Church, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Sr. Benita Coffey, O.S.B., Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, Chicago

Rabbi Shoshanah Conover, Temple Sholom, Chicago

Sr. Carol Cook, Sisters of Charity, Blessed Virgin Mary, Chicago

Rev. Christian Coon, Urban Village Church, Chicago

Rev. William T. Corcoran, Ph.D., St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Orland Hills

Rev. Jason Coulter, Ravenswood United Church of Christ, Chicago

Sr. Carol Crepeau, Congregations of St. Joseph, LaGrange

Rev. Paula Cripps­Vallejo, First United Methodist Church, Bensenville

Sr. Patricia Crowley, O.S.B., Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, Chicago

Fr. Brendan Curran, O.P., St. Pius V Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. Edward W. Curtis. Grace Episcopal Church, Chicago

Rev. Victoria Curtiss, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago

Fr. Charles Dahm, O. P., St Pius V Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. Dan Dale, Wellington Community Church, Chicago

Rev. Lillian Daniel, First Congregational Church, Glen Ellyn

Rev. Jean Darling, People’s Church, Chicago

Rev. Roger Dart, United Church of Christ, Deerfield

Cantor Michael Davis, Highland Park

Rev. Stanley Davis, Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago

Bro. Halil Demir, Zakat Foundation, Bridgeview

Sr. Kathleen Desautels, Eighth Day Center for Justice, Chicago

Rev. Julian DeShazier, University Church, Chicago

Rev. Nicholas Desmond, St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Chicago

Fr. Michael DeTemple, O.P., St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, River Forest

Rev. Curtiss DeYoung, Community Renewal Society, Chicago

Rev. Richard Diaz, Higher Power Community Church, Chicago

Fr. Mario DiCicco, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Fr. Larry Dowling, St. Agatha’s Catholic Church, Chicago

Rabbi Ellen Dreyfus, Rabbi Emeritus, B’nai Yehuda Beth Sholom, Homewood

Bishop Sally Dyck, Northern IL Conf. of the United Methodist Church, Chicago

Rabbi Laurence Edwards, Chicago

Rabbi Bruce Elder, Congregation Hakafa, Winnetka

Sr. Michele Elfering, CSJ, Congregations of St. Joseph, LaGrange Park

Rabbi Cindy Enger, Congregation Or Chadash, Chicago

Sr. Gwen Farry, Sisters of Charity, BVM, Chicago

Sr. Catherine Fedewa, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Des Plaines

Sr. Mary Kay Flanigan, OSF, 8th Day Center For Justice, Chicago

Sr. Carol Fox, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Chicago

Fr. Michael Gabriel, Holy Family Parish, Chicago

Rev. Dr. James Galbreath, Woodridge United Methodist Church

Sr. Dorothy Gartland, Sisters of Providence, Chicago

Sr. Barbara Gaul, Sisters of Charity, BVM, Brookfield

Sr. Peggy Geraghty, Sisters of Charity, BVM, Chicago

Sr. Michelle Germanson, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, River Forest

Sr. Joanne Ginter, Sisters of the Living Word, Arlington Heights

Rev. Jason S. Glombicki, Wicker Park Lutheran Church, Chicago

Rabbi Edwin C. Goldberg, Temple Shalom, Chicago

Rev. Alejandro Gonzalez, Iglesia, Centro De Restauracion En Cristo, Aurora

Rabbi Samuel Gordon, Congregation Sukkat Shalom, Wilmette

Bro. Michael Gosch, CSV, Viatorians, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Larry L. Greenfield, American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, Chicago

Fr. Dominic J. Grassi, St. Gertrude Catholic Church, Chicago

Bro. Leo Guerts, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Sr. Jeanette Halbach, Our Lady of Victory Missionary, Chicago

Fr. Daniel Hall, Clerics of St. Viator, Arlington Heights

Rev. Trey Hall, Urban Village Church, Chicago

Bro. Gerald B. Hankerson, Council on American­Islamic Relations (CAIR), Chicago

Rev. Alice Harper–Jones, Kenwood United Church of Christ, Chicago

Rev. Douglas Harris, North Shore Baptist Church, Chicago

Fr. Kurt Hartrich, O.F.M., St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. C. J. Hawking, Arise Chicago and Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, Oak Park

Sr. Marcella C. Hermesdorf, O.P., Dominican University, River Forest

Rev. Isabelino Hernandez, Church of God, Chicago

Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, Mishkan Congregation, Chicago

Rev. Lisl Heymans Paul, Northern Illinois Conf., United Methodist Church

Sr. Rosemary Hickmann, OP, Dominicans of Sinsinawa, Chicago

Rev. Carol Hill, Epworth United Methodist Church, Chicago

Fr. Jim Hoffman, OFM, St. Peters Church, Chicago

Fr. John Hoffman, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, La Grange

Rev. Blair Ann Hull, Congregational Church, Deerfield

Fr. Tom Hurley, Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. Sally Iberg, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park

Rev. Brittany Isaac, Urban Village Church, Chicago

Rev. Kristin Jackson, Living Water Church, Chicago

Rev. Jerald January, Sr., Vernon Park Church of God, Chicago

Rev. Monte Johnson, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Chicago

Rev. David Jones, St. Benedict the African­East Parish, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Robert Jones, Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago

Fr. Tom Joyce, Claretians Missionary Fathers, Chicago

Sr. Rose Ann Kaiser, Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, Chicago

Fr. Mark Kalema, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Chicago

Sr. Annamarie Kane, BVM, Chicago

Fr. Stephen Kanonik, St. Juliana Catholic Church, Chicago

Sr. Bernadine Karge, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Chicago

Rev. Fred Kinsey, Unity Lutheran Church, Chicago

Sr. Martha Marie Kirbach, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Chicago

Rev. Jonathan Knight, IL Conference of the United Church of Christ, Westchester

Sr. Marilyn Kofler, SP, Sisters of Providence, Chicago

Sr. Rosemary LaFlaur, CSJ, Congregations of St. Joseph, LaGrange Park

Sr. Sally Latkovich, CSJ, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago

Sr. Catherine A. Leamy, SNJM, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Countryside

Fr. Michal Lewon, St. John Paul II Newman Center, UIC, Chicago

Fr. Larry Lisowski, St. Joseph and Immaculate Conception Parishes, Chicago

Rev. Gregory Seal Livingston, Mission of Faith Baptist Church, Chicago

Fr. Thomas Long, Clerics of St. Viator, Chicago

Rev. Alvin Love, Lilydale First Baptist Church, Chicago

Rev. Sherrie Lowly, Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church

Rev. Tomas Lozada, Iglesia De Dios Fuente de Amor, Chicago

Rev. Franciso Lozada, Iglesia De Dios Fuente de Amor, Chicago

Cantor Arik Luck, Beth Emet: The Free Synagogue, Evanston

Sr. Sheila Lyne, RSM, Sisters of Mercy, Chicago

Rev. Jackie Lynn, St. James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago

Rev. Patrick M. Lyons Calumet City, Illinois

Rev. Janet E. MacLean, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park

Rev. Michael Mann, Northern Illinois Conference of United Methodist Church, Elgin

Rev. Dr. Ben Manso, Prinera Iglesia Bautista Hispanic De Elgin, Elgin

Rev. Claire Marich, First United Methodist Church, Downers Grove

Fr. Patrick Marshall, St. John Paul II Newman Center, Chicago

Sr. Mary Martin Colbert, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Homer Glen

Sr. Barbara Mass, Sisters of the Living Word, Arlington Heights

Sr. Joellen McCarthy, BVM, 8th Day Center for Justice, Chicago

Sr. Nancy McCarthy, Sisters of Charity, BVM, Oak Park

Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, Broadway United Methodist Church, Chicago

Sr. Francesca McGarry, Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, Chicago

Rev. Emily McGinley, Urban Village Church, Chicago

Bro. Brian McLaughlin, SVD, Divine Word Missionaries, Chicago

Rev. Kevin McLemore, Epiphany United Church of Christ, Chicago

Sr. Kathleen McNulty, OSF, School Sisters of St. Francis, Chicago

Rev. Carol McVetty, North Shore Baptist Church, Chicago

Sr. Mary Ellen Meckley, BVM, Chicago

Sr. Mary Melady, O.S.B., Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, Chicago

Rev. David Mercer, St. Paul United Church of Christ, Palatine

Sr. Rose Mary Meyer, BVM, Chicago

Bro. Joe Middleton, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva, Ph.D., Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago

Rabbi Victor Mirelman, Rabbi Emeritus, West Suburban Temple Har Zion, River Forest

Rev. Dr. Jorge L. Morales, Illinois Conference United Church of Christ, Westchester

Rev. Mary Beth Moran Cross, Chicago Metro Assoc. of United Church of Christ, Westchester

Rev. Dr. Calvin Morris, United Methodist Church

Rev. Richard Mosley, Jr., Hemenway United Methodist Church, Evanston

Deacon Dennis Mudd, St Joseph Catholic Church, Libertyville

Rev. Craig Mueller, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago

Rev. Liz Muñoz, Nuestra Señora Church, Chicago

Sr. Pat Murphy, R.S.M., Sisters of Mercy, Chicago

Fr. George Musial, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Rev. Luis Nater, El Sendero De Uerdad, Chicago

Fr. Don Nevins, St. Agnes of Bohemia Church, Chicago

Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, Northfield

Fr. Robert H. Oldershaw, St. Nicholas, Evanston

Rev. Dr. James Olson, United Church of Christ, Chicago

Rev. Bonnie Osei­Frimpong, Disciples of Christ, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott­Sheffer, The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C., Hinsdale

Fr. Robert Pawell, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Fr. James Perluzzi, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Sr. JoAnn Persch, R.S.M., Sisters of Mercy, Chicago

Sr. Janice Pertle, B.V.M., Chicago

Rev. Dr. Rex E. Piercy, Congregational Church, Arlington Heights

Rev. Jeffrey Phillips, First United Church of Christ, Lombard

Rev. Dr. Raymond Pickett, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Chicago

Rev. Chris Pierson, UMC Director of Connectional Ministries, Elgin

Rev. Michael Pfleger, Faith Community of St. Sabina, Chicago

Sr. Lisa Polega, Sisters of the Living Word, Chicago

Msgr. Patrick J. Pollard, Notre Dame De Chicago Parish, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Vertie Powers, Chicago Metropolitan Association, United Church of Christ

Rev. Richard J. Prendergast, St. Josaphat Parish, Chicago

Sr. Donna Preston, School Sisters of St. Francis, Melrose Park

Imam Matthew Ramadan, Chicago

Rev. Luis P. Ramirez, Teeray Life Church, Chicago

Rev. Freddy Ramos, Christian Family Church, Dimension De Gloria, Wheeling

Sr. Rita Ramos, Sisters of the Living Word, Arlington Heights

Rabbi Frederick Reeves, KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, Chicago

Rev. Rodney Reinhart, St. Clement’s Epis, Harvey, St. Joseph/St. Aidan’s, Blue Island

Rev. Luis F. Reyes, First United Methodist Church of Lombard, Lombard

Rev. Rony Reyes, North Shore Baptist Church, Chicago

Rev. Drew Rindfleisch, St. Lucas United Church of Christ, Chicago

Rev. Leslie Ritter­Jenkins, First Congregational Church, La Grange

Rev. Larry Roberts, Sr., Trinity All Nations, Chicago

Sr. Josephine M. Roche, BVM, Chicago

Sr. Helen Rodriguez­Marin, Julia Center, Chicago

Rev. Ramiro Rodriguez, Amor de Dios Church, Chicago

Rev. Victor Rodriguez, La Villita Community Church, Chicago

Rev. Erma Lou Roller, Northern IL Conf.United Methodist Church, Downers Grove

Rev. Francisco Rosario, Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Mi. Monte Carmelo, Chicago

Rabbi Brant Rosen, American Friends Service Committee, Chicago

Fr. J. Carlos Ruiz, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Paul Rutgers, President Emeritus, Presbytery of Chicago

Fr. Gregory Sakowicz, St. Mary Catholic Church, Evanston

Fr. Elric Sampson, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Fr. Ismael Sandoval­Manzo, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Chicago

Fr. Tom Santa, C.Ss.R., St. Michael Parish, Chicago

Sr. Joellen Sbrissa, Congregations of St. Joseph, LaGrange Park

Sr. Marlene Schemmel, CSJ, Congregations of St. Joseph, LaGrange Park

Bro. Bill Schulte, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Rev. Marti Scott, Euclid Ave. United Methodist Church, Oak Park

Rev. Yuki Scroggins, North Shore Baptist Church, Chicago

Ms. Elena Segura, Office of Immigrant Affairs and Education, Archdiocese of Chicago

Rabbi Isaac Serotta, Lakeside Congregation, Highland Park

Fr. Michael Shanahan, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Chicago

Fr. Edward F. Shea, OFM, St. Peter’s Church, Chicago

Sr. Mary Sheehan, Sisters of Mercy, Chicago

Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chicago

Rabbi Michael Siegel, Anshe Emet Synagogue, Chicago

Rev. Janet Smith, Winnetka Congregational United Church of Christ, Winnetka

Rev. Susan Chamberlin Smith, Trinity UCC, Deerfield

Rev. Dr. J. Michael Solberg, The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C., Hinsdale

Sr. Rita Specht, R.S.M., Sisters of Mercy, Chicago

Sr. Janet Stelken, PBVM, Sisters of the Presentation, Chicago

Sr. Rose Mary Sullivan, Congregation of Notre Dame, Chicago

Rev. Stephen H. Swanson, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Villa Park

Rev. Alan Taylor, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Oak Park

Sr. Brigid Tembo, Sisters of the Living Word, Arlington Heights

Rev. Tom Terrell, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chicago

Rev. John Thomas, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago

Fr. Raymond Tillrock, St. Barnabas Parish, pastor emeritus, Chicago

Rev. William Tkachuk, St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Evanston

Fr. Jason Torba, Saint Ferdinand Catholic Church, Chicago

Rev. Steve Van Kuiken, Lake Street Church, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Oscar L. Varnadoe III, Trinity United Church Of Christ, Gary

Sr. Kristine Vorenkamp, Sisters of the Living Word, Arlington Heights

Sr. Melissa Waters, O.P., Dominican University, River Forest

Rev. David Weasley, Zion Lutheran Church, Tinley Park

Rabbi Michael Weinberg, Temple Beth Israel, Skokie

Rabbi Max Weiss, Oak Park Temple, Oak Park

Rev. Warren Wiggins, United Church of Hinsdale, Hinsdale

Rev. Dr. Eugene Winkler, United Methodist Church of Northern Illinois Conference, Naperville

Rev. Dr. Janette C. Wilson Esq, Rainbow PUSH, Chicago

Rev. Chris Winkler, Barrington United Methodist Church, Barrington

Rev. Alex Wirth, Lakeview Presbyterian Church, Chicago

Rev. Wendy Witt, First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, Chicago

Rev. Sara Wohlleb, United Church of Christ of the Illinois Conference, Chicago

Rev. Zaki Zaki, Northern IL Conf. of the United Methodist Church

Rev. Moises Zamudio, Puerta Al Cielo, Chicago

Rabbi Michael Zedek, Emanuel Congregation, Chicago

Sr. Mary Ann Zrust, Sisters of the Living Word, Arlington Heights