Valentine's Day Benefit : Midwest Bond Fund @ Record Breaker's
The United States is one of only two countries in the world whose pre-trial system is completely dominated by private, for-profit companies. This means that incarcerated individuals not yet convicted of a crime (70% of our total prison population) are forced to pay, on average, $10,000 into the hands of a 2.5 billion dollar industry to be able to exercise their right to remain with family and community while awaiting trail; a process that often takes months and can even take years. [1]
Although in 2023 Illinois passed the Pretrial Fairness Act to illuminate cash bail, the terrifying nature of ICE abduction means that many community members, family members, friends, and neighbors are being held in detention out of state. [2] We also know that ICE has made a seven-fold increase of arrests of people without criminal convictions, trapping thousands of innocent people in this system with little hope. [3]
This is where The Midwest Bond Fund comes in.
The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund is fully volunteer run non-profit organization that was born in 2019 out of a need to reunite families kept apart by financially prohibitive bail.
The MIBF pays out bonds for residents of, and people detained in: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and as of 2025, Minnesota. They work closely with NIJC, ICIRR, and OCAD, and are part of the National Bail Fund Network, a coalition of likeminded organizations in direct alignment with their mission.
“Our work will only be finished when ICE is abolished, and no one is separated from their families and communities by the cruelty of detention.” [4]
On Valentine’s Day, Record Breakers is taking 20% of our sales and donating them to the Midwest Bond Fund. A small gesture in reaction to a broader movement of terror and anguish being felt here in the Midwest and all over the country. As a business with such a vocal and supportive community around us, our hope is that our initiative is informative and encouraging to our friends and customers, and makes a real lasting difference in the life of someone currently in need of dire financial assistance.
Valentine’s Day at 2935 N. Milwaukee will be a much needed celebration of love, hope, solidarity, and of course— the healing power of music.
Come join us.
Music 4 Meals
All proceeds donated to Roger’s Park Food Not Bombs. Presented by Chicago Community Fest.
Art for Gaza
A fundraiser for a Palestinian family putting their son through medical school amidst the genocide.
