Collins wins tougher regulations on payday lenders, new Community Reinvestment Act

CHICAGO – Payday lenders will be prohibited from issuing loans with rates higher than 36% and Illinois government will require certain financial institutions to meet the needs of local communities under major reforms led by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus this past week.

Language from two major pieces of legislation by Collins, Senate Bills 1608 and 1792, were included in a comprehensive Black Caucus economic reform measure that passed the Illinois General Assembly Wednesday.

“How many of you want to get a credit card, maybe from Macy's or Neiman Marcus, at 80%, 99%?” Collins asked senators in her remarks prior to the bill’s passage in the Senate. “This is preying on certain communities. It's really a rebirth of redlining, housing covenants and all the other ills that have decimated my community. What we're trying to do is ensure they have an opportunity to build economic stability.”

Read more: Collins wins tougher regulations on payday lenders, new Community Reinvestment Act

Illinois Black Caucus takes first-in-the-nation step to eliminate systemic racism

SPRINGFIELD – In order to address the longstanding root causes of racial inequality and disinvestment that are holding back the Black community, the Illinois Senate Legislative Black Caucus has passed the most comprehensive legislative package in the nation to rid Illinois of systemic racism. 

Decades of oppression, the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and police brutality inspired the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ push to end the historic disparities facing Illinois’ Black population.

Read more: Illinois Black Caucus takes first-in-the-nation step to eliminate systemic racism

President Harmon congratulates Speaker Welch

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement congratulating the new Speaker of the Illinois House Chris Welch.

“Congratulations to Representative Welch on being elected Speaker of the House. It is a historic occasion.

“We have worked together for years serving the near western suburbs, so I know firsthand the commitment he has to the people he represents.

“We have monumental challenges ahead of us this legislative session. I look forward to working with Speaker Welch to meet them.”

Leader Lightford sworn in for new term in Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford was sworn in Wednesday for a new term in the Illinois General Assembly, marking the beginning of her 23^rd year in the legislature.

A steadfast advocate for education reform and working class Illinoisans, Lightford’s new term begins days after passing legislation to help ensure Black children receive the opportunity they need to build brighter futures, a measure Lightford negotiated during her recent tenure as chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. It makes comprehensive changes to support Black and low-income students from birth to adulthood, the latest in a long line of education reforms Lightford has championed.

Read more: Leader Lightford sworn in for new term in Illinois Senate