What is SAFE Illinois?
SAFE stands for Safe Access For Everyone.
SAFE Illinois is a statewide advocacy organization advancing bold, harm reduction–based solutions to health and safety crises through grassroots action, policy change, and coalition-building so that all Illinoisans can survive, strive and thrive.
SAFE Illinois is a statewide advocacy organization rooted in the principles of harm reduction and public health justice so all Illinoisans can survive, strive and thrive. We are a collective of passionate organizers, public health professionals, and policy experts committed to advancing real solutions to urgent health and safety crises facing communities across Illinois.
We are children and parents, students and social workers, educators and strategists, leaders and lobbyists, and proud Illinoisans. We are doing the work on the ground and showing up in the rooms where decisions are made.
We believe in taking bold, principled action even when it’s unpopular. Because when lives are on the line, we don’t wait for permission. We act. We’re here to fix what’s broken. We build coalitions across sectors, dismantle systems that harm, and create long-lasting, life-affirming change.
Our team is a collective of passionate and experienced
social justice activists with expertise in
addressing public health issues.
We are children and parents, social workers and students,
educators and strategists, leaders and lobbyists,
and proud Illinoisans fighting for a safer future.
How we work
At SAFE Illinois, we address root causes and “stop the bleeding” through a three-part strategy:
LEGISLATE
We develop, advocate for, and implement local and state legislation rooted in harm reduction. Our policies prioritize people over punishment, addressing the structural causes of public health and safety crises and not just the symptoms.
ACTIVATE
We grow a statewide network of trained, informed activists. Through education and organizing, we cultivate leaders and mobilize communities to de-stigmatize harm, challenge the status quo, and demand systems that work for everyone.
EDUCATE
We educate elected officials, political candidates, policymakers, and the public about the urgent need for public health approaches that promote health, dignity, and equity. We support those in power who are committed to transformational change and hold them accountable.
Our Board and Officers
The SAFE Illinois Board of Directors is made up of deeply invested advocates who bring lived experience, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to harm and violence prevention. Our board includes social workers, policy strategists, educators, grassroots organizers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders from across Illinois.
We are united by a belief that everyone deserves access to safety — regardless of their income, zip code, health status, or background. As a board, we provide strategic direction, policy insight, and boots-on-the-ground support to advance our mission.
We lead with empathy. We act with urgency. And we fight like hell for a future where public safety begins with public health.
Jackie Cunningham-Bailey
Board President
Dr. Anthony Douglas
Board Member
Sara Knizhnik
Chief Executive Officer
Chelsea Laliberte
Chief Advocacy Officer
Shannon Lazar
Chief Education Officer
Donna Nasser
Treasurer
Shane Selig
Secretary
Ed Spire
Board Member
Join the Board
We are actively seeking new Board members who are committed to public health equity, social justice, and bold policy change. If you bring lived experience, a collaborative spirit, and a deep desire to reduce harm in your community, we want to hear from you.
Now recruiting board members with expertise in: Community organizing, fundraising, legal advocacy, healthcare, public policy, and lived experience of systems involvement.
Apply to Join the Board → Fill out this form to express interest in joining the SAFE Illinois Board.