Eric is a passionate advocate and organizer.
His primary expertise includes driver’s license suspension policies and the employment barriers created by excessive tickets, fines, and fees.
He has research and advocacy experience in multiple areas including public transportation, workforce development, criminal justice reform, and public benefits.
Legislative Affairs
Eric has experience successfully supporting numerous pieces of legislation in the Illinois General Assembly.
His biggest accomplishments include direct lobbying in support of legislation that eliminated regressive driver’s license suspensions from over 100,000 Illinois driving records.
He has advocated and negotiated with state legislators, the Illinois Speaker of the House, Chicago Mayor’s office, Chicago alderpeople, and staff from the legislative and administrative branches of Illinois government.
Eric has also reviewed, edited, and drafted legislative language on multiple issues, especially relating to the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Coalition Management
Eric is the founder and former organizer of the Illinois Transit Table coalition. The Transit Table seeks to eliminate transportation barriers that keep people out of work and in poverty.
He has also provided leadership and organizational representation at coalitions working for transportation equity, criminal justice reform, progressive state budget investments, a progressive income tax in Illinois, and Earned Income Tax Credit expansion.
Eric is best known by his coalition partners for starting every single meeting with a check-in question, which cultivates participation and collaboration.
Research
Eric is a curious researcher, equally able to scour statutes and studies, or make phone calls and send surveys.
Eric has managed extensive public information requests from the Illinois Secretary of State, creating the most comprehensive collection of driver’s license suspension data outside of the state agency.
He has managed surveys of over 1,000 individuals about their experience with transportation challenges, including license suspension and public transit policies.
Conducting interviews and focus groups with workforce development service providers, Eric helped inform legislation on Illinois’ Urban Weatherization Initiative.
Eric has also managed relationships with external research contractors conducting statistical analysis, maps and visualizations, and detailed legal research.
Public Education & Engagement
Eric is a competent and comfortable speaker, facilitator, and presenter. He regularly hosted and presented at meetings of the Chicago area workforce development field while working with the Chicago Jobs Council.
Eric has facilitated and presented on panels for audiences of over 100.
Organizing
Some of Eric’s first organizing experience was with Minnesotans United for All Families, working with the Faith team to turn out clergy and religious communities in support of marriage equality. During the fall of 2012, he organized on campus at Gustavus Adolphus College, assisting with an extensive Get Out the Vote operation.
Since then, Eric has been an active volunteer for candidates as well as issue campaigns. He has door knocked in Iowa for the caucuses, made phone calls for everything from presidential candidates to city council candidates, and participated in numerous actions with his church community.
Eric Out Loud 