Hunter, Sims honor the legacy of Emmett Till

CHICAGO – To recognize and honor the history and legacy of Emmett Till, State Senators Mattie Hunter and Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led a newly signed law to honor July 25 of each year as Emmett Till Day in Illinois.

“Emmett Till’s story is a painful chapter in our nation’s history, but it is one we must continue to remember and teach,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By recognizing Emmett Till Day, we honor his life, the courage of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley and the generations of advocates who have fought for justice and equality.”

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Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus responds to continued escalation of ICE involvement

CHICAGO— The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement condemning increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity across the Chicagoland area and beyond, which recently resulted in two fatal shootings:

“Immigrant families across Illinois are living with fear as ICE enforcement continues to escalate in our communities. That fear has only deepened following the fatal shooting of a Colombian man by an ICE agent in Maine this week, coming just days after another immigrant father lost his life during a separate enforcement operation.

“The persecution of our immigrant community needs to stop. ICE needs to leave our cities and leave our communities alone. We need to stand up and fight against the extremists in our country, because our immigrant neighbors deserve to feel protected and safe in our communities.

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Cunningham law expands opportunities for deputy sheriff recruitment

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s measure to help law enforcement agencies recruit and retain qualified deputy sheriffs has become law.

“As we face a shortage of police officers in our state, we have formed a program to help foster groups of young people into qualified public servants,” said Cunningham a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This will not only help address the shortage but also ensure that our future police officers are ones our communities can count on for their safety.”

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Studies on breakthrough therapies for veteran suicide prevention to continue in Illinois, thanks to Porfirio

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Porfirio’s measure to continue studying mental health treatments to address the nationwide veteran suicide crisis has been signed into law.

“The studies and outcomes produced by this council have been extremely promising. They are saving real lives,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “We must continue to fight against veteran suicide as a national crisis, and this law keeps Illinois at the forefront of that fight.”

Porfirio’s law continues the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Advisory Council and places the council under the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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