CHICAGO–State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after an unknown gunman shot and killed an 18-year-old man and wounded another person at Orland Square Mall Monday night: 

“Last night, I, unfortunately, witnessed two tragedies. The first was yet another senseless shooting, as a young man was gunned down literally a few feet away from where I was shopping with my family, along with other families, at Orland Square Mall.

CHICAGO – State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) issued the following statement today after Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order enforcing House Bill 40, which protects a woman’s right to choose in Illinois.

“Every woman should be able to make her own reproductive health decisions, regardless of her employment or income level,” Steans said. “We fought hard to pass legislation protecting this right, and I am glad we have a governor ready to enforce it.”

MANTENO— State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is praising Gov. JB Pritzker’s move to protect Illinois’ veterans.

On Friday, Pritzker issued an executive order to examine and get to the bottom of the Legionnaires’ crisis in the state’s veterans’ homes.

Pritzker’s administration is directing the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs to issue a report 120 days that will provide a comprehensive review of weaknesses, strengths and opportunities for improvement of policies, protocols and procedures related to ensuring the health and safety of residents and employees at Illinois veterans’ homes.

CHICAGO — Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement regarding the acquittal of three Chicago police officers, David March, Thomas Gaffney and Joseph Walsh, charged with covering up for a fellow officer, Jason Van Dyke, who shot and killed Laquan McDonald:

“Today’s decision is not only a slap in the face to Mr. McDonald’s family, but it negatively impacts the black community as a whole because it perpetuates a system that allows a code of silence to continue among police.