CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois is offering $30 million in grants to organizations in minority communities, funded by a portion of the state’s cannabis sales tax.

The Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) program will make the money available to “organizations that set out to create safer communities, empower youth, provide legal aid, build business landscapes, and help individuals successfully rejoin communities after a period of incarceration.”

“For far too long, Black and Brown communities have been disproportionately harmed by the failed war on drugs,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “I’m pleased to see that the R3 program is empowering nonprofits, small businesses, and faith-based organizations to deliver restorative services that meet each community’s needs.”

Eligible programs include civil legal aid, economic development, re-entry from the criminal justice system, violence prevention, and youth development.

The state’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget included $75 million for the R3 grant program and administrative costs.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority actively recruits community-based application reviewers as they are primary stakeholders in the R3 program.

Applications are reviewed, with points given to applicants that demonstrate how their ideas will be equitably implemented. Equity scores increase when program leadership, front line, and staff members are reflective of the proposed program’s service area (community), lived experience is incorporated into the program design, and applicants can demonstrate a history of service to the communities they intend to serve.

Eligible communities have been identified using data on gun injury, child poverty, unemployment, and state prison confinements.

Areas of Rockford, Freeport, and Belvidere have all been identified as eligible communities under the program. Rockford has been classified as a “high need” area, according to the state.