Protestants for the Common Good was formed in 1995 to bring an informed and strong Protestant voice to public life and to offer educational resources and advocacy opportunities to people of faith on matters of public policy. Since that time, the organization has grown significantly in participants, budget, staff, reputation, and influence.

The organization was founded out of a concern that organizations from the Christian political right, such as the Christian Coalition, mistakenly portray themselves as speaking on behalf of all Protestant Christians on a wide range of public issues. PCG’s initial activity was an organizational rally in December 1995 that attracted over 700 people. Most of those present were concerned about the activities of the Christian political right and the fact that these groups had influence beyond their numbers in setting the moral tone for our country, in our state legislatures and in Congress.

PCG is both an education and advocacy organization. It is incorporated as a 501(c)3 entity through which it pursues its educational activities, including the teaching of a Faith and Public Issues discussion series, public events such as forums and town meetings on issues with important moral dimensions, and the dissemination of written materials that prepare the reader to consider the direct moral consequences of public policy. The PCG Board also takes specific positions on particular issues, and is able to engage in advocacy to the extent permitted by law.

The central focus of PCG is to assist people to examine their responsibilities as citizens in the light of their religious faith. It does not attempt to dictate the religious or political beliefs of its members. Likewise, PCG believes that congregations as corporate entities should not be asked to take official positions on controversial, often partisan, public issues. To do so would imply that complex social policies constitute articles of faith. Particular political policies and programs must be given our attention but not be confused with the principle tenets of our faith tradition. For this reason, PCG urges individual Protestants who are active church members to join others in becoming PCG members but does not recruit churches as members. Congregations that utilize PCG educational resources and provide annual support for the organization can become "Educational Affiliates."

In its first eight years, Protestants for the Common Good has established a strong network of support from denominations, churches, and individuals throughout Illinois. We communicate regularly with approximately 2,500 individuals. In the autumn of 2002, PCG began production of The Common Good Network, a biweekly email magazine. PCG has also published a journal, The Common Good, on faith and public issues and a newsletter, Seeking the Common Good, which contained reports and policy updates.

Its many accomplishments include:

• Creation of Interfaith Open Communities, with the Catholic Archdiocese, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, to promote affordable housing and diverse communities.

• Passage of the first increase in Illinois’ welfare (TANF) cash grant in twelve years, following a three-year Welfare Justice Now campaign drawing upon both the faith community and secular organizations.

• Development of a twelve-point set of guidelines for police accountability in the City of Chicago.

• Formation of a Religious Leaders Network consisting of over 100 denominational heads and clergy on behalf of campaign finance reform and playing an important role in the passage of political ethics reforms in Illinois.

• Adoption of the Housing Opportunity Tax Incentive Act, which provides a property tax saving for landlords in "opportunity areas" who rent to Section 8 tenants.

• Forming a Welcoming Our Neighbor program to help public housing families move out of the housing projects and into areas of job growth.

"Protestants for the Common Good acts for social justice and the common good as essential to the Christian faith, educating and mobilizing people of faith to become effective participants in political democracy."

The plan also calls for PCG to work with its constituency to develop annually a "Common Good Agenda" that will serve as the focus for work in education and advocacy in Illinois and across the nation. The current priority areas are: faith and democracy, economic justice and poverty, public education, affordable housing, criminal justice, campaign finance and electoral reform, and the environment. In each of these areas PCG works ecumenically and on an interfaith basis.

Current initiatives include: passage of "expungement" legislation for persons who have completed their sentences for low-level, non-violent crimes, adoption of a city ordinance that would "set aside" a portion of new developments for affordable housing, support for legislation that would create a fair tax system to support quality public education and human services, and the creation of a interfaith religious network to address public policy challenges on a metropolitan basis.