Black Caucus outraged at lack of accountability for Breonna Taylor’s killers

CHICAGO—Members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus spoke out Wednesday on news that a grand jury failed to indict three Louisville officers, Brett Hankison, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, for killing Breonna Taylor in her sleep in March. Ex-police officer Brett Hankison was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment, and the other officers face no charges.

State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, ILBC Chair

“The charges are devastatingly unbefitting of Breonna Taylor’s tragic death. The sheer lack of accountability for the officers who killed Breonna is yet another clear example of how the justice system does not protect Black lives,” Lightford said. “We share the frustration and anger of our fellow community members and the activists who are tired of the rampant injustice in our justice system.

Read more: Black Caucus outraged at lack of accountability for Breonna Taylor’s killers

Lightford: Breonna Taylor deserved to live

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) issued the following statement in reaction to Detective Brett Hankinson being charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree in the murder of Breonna Taylor in her Louisville apartment on March 13. No charges were brought against Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, the other two officers involved in the shooting.

“It is impossible to express the weight of the injustices and cruelty carried out against the Black community throughout the history of our country. When an officer can justify the murder of Breonna Taylor as legal, moral and ethical, then walk away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist, there can be no doubt that Black women do not matter in our country today.

Read more: Lightford: Breonna Taylor deserved to live

Senate committee hearing to focus on Black Caucus’ education agenda

JOLIET – To continue efforts to address structural racial inequality in Illinois, the Senate will hold a joint Education and Higher Education Committee tomorrow.

“As chair of the Higher Education Committee, I've learned that the foundation for successful post-secondary education is built early in one's life,” said Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill). “Tomorrow's hearing will explore how to provide that foundation for every Illinois child.”

The committee serves as another step in building the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Education is one of four major policy areas the ILBC is targeting this year, along with criminal justice, health care, and economic access.

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Twenty-two senators honored for pro-environment voting records

CHICAGO – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its first ever Lifetime Environmental Scorecard Monday, chronicling the average score of all votes cast on bills affecting the environment by each sitting legislator over the course of their entire legislative career. Several members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are honorees.

Legislators in their first term were only scored on their votes in 2019, the first and only year they were able to vote on bills impacting the environment due to the disruption of the 2020 regular legislative session by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Democrats receiving a 90%+ lifetime score were: Cristina Castro, Laura M. Murphy, Steve Stadelman, Michael E. Hastings, Robert F. Martwick, Melinda Bush, Laura Fine, Elgie R. Sims, Jr., Bill Cunningham, Linda Holmes, Pat McGuire, Heather A. Steans, Mattie Hunter, Iris Y. Martinez, Don Harmon, Jacqueline Y. Collins and Sara Feigenholtz.

Read more: Twenty-two senators honored for pro-environment voting records