2026 Illinois Convener Summit
Be The Light: Community Hope & Healing
Event Highlights
The Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement was excited to partner and cohost the 2026 Illinois Convener Summit with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) to bring together leaders from across the Reimagine Public Safety Act ecosystem to share lessons from the field, strengthen coordination across regions, and highlight innovative approaches to community safety.
This year’s summit commemorated the five-year anniversary of the Reimagine Public Safety Act (2021) - a landmark commitment by the State of Illinois to invest in community-led violence prevention, neighborhood leadership, and public safety rooted in equity, healing, and opportunity. Over the past five years, communities across Illinois have built powerful networks of prevention, outreach, victim services, and local leadership that are reshaping how safety is created and sustained.
Throughout the summit, Conveners had the opportunity to showcase their work in Shine Together: Visions of Community Hope and Healing convener exhibition. Through their exhibitions, Conveners showcased how they are bridging gaps, strengthening connections, and driving meaningful progress in community violence prevention across the region.
Community leaders, violence prevention practitioners, and partners from across Illinois gathered for this statewide convening dedicated to advancing community-driven strategies that prevent violence, strengthen neighborhood safety, and support healing in communities most impacted by gun violence on Monday, June 1 at the University of Illinois Chicago.
