GOVERNOR PRITZKER LAUD THE EFFORTS OF BMU FOUNDER, PASTOR JOHN HARRELL, FOR HIS UNDYING COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Pastor Harrell- Photo provided by STH Media LLC
Pastor Harrell- Photo provided by STH Media LLC

GOVERNOR PRITZKER LAUD THE EFFORTS OF BMU FOUNDER, PASTOR JOHN HARRELL, FOR HIS UNDYING COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

(Chicago, IL) Pastor John Harrell, Founder and President of the Black Men United Organization- will be joined by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch, Illinois Senate Majority Kimberly Lightford, Maywood Mayor Nathaniel Booker, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, Black Men United, West Suburban residents, and clergymen as they collectively engaged in a ribbon cutting ceremony of an all new 24 unit housing development named 1010 LLC.

Black Men United purchased this property through DECO (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) state funding with a mission to provide safe, affordable housing for low-income families in the Maywood community.

The scope of the project includes the rehabilitation and development of housing units that not only meet high-quality living standards but also integrate emerging technologies to promote energy equity and sustainability. However, the vision of Pastor Harrell and BMU extends beyond just affordable housing — BMU has created a model that future-proofs our communities.

This project is designed to ensure that residents have access to clean energy solutions and modern infrastructure. Pastor Harrell has been focused on reducing the disproportionate energy burden that low-to-moderate income households often face — in some cases paying up to four times more than their suburban counterparts. This disparity often stems from aging, inefficient housing stock that has not received the investment needed to remain competitive or energy efficient.

Pastor John Harrell and Black Men United, led this effort not only to address today’s housing and energy challenges but also to build a long-term strategy for energy resilience. By incorporating clean energy infrastructure that can evolve with new and emerging technologies, Harrell is ensuring that our communities are not left behind.

Additionally, this initiative serves as an economic vehicle to support Harrell’s broader philanthropic goals — including workforce development, violence reduction, food security, and continued investment in clean energy. Harrell and BMU believe that affordable housing and access to clean energy should not be luxuries, but standards — and that the financial hardship should never be the reason someone pays more to simply live in their home.

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