Torrence Gardner

Torrence Gardner is the manager of policy change on the People, Power and Policy team at The Chicago Community Trust.

Torrence is a dedicated advocate for equitable policies and community development. From serving on the local school council to his role as the Director of Economic & Community Development for Alderwoman Maria Hadden in Chicago, he has played a key role in several significant initiatives.

Torrence’s accomplishments included drafting and passing the historic Chicago Juneteenth Holiday ordinance, which made Chicago one of the first cities to make Juneteenth a paid holiday. During the pandemic, Torrence contributed to the formation of a vital local equitable COVID-19 response team.

As former chief of staff to Illinois State Rep. Cassidy, he was instrumental in passing crucial legislation, such as the PrEP and PEP bill, aimed at increasing access to life-saving HIV medication as well as helping lead the Illinois House Reproductive Rights Working Group that sought to expand abortion and gender-affirming care rights.