Senate Black Caucus Members Discuss Men’s Health

June marked Men’s Health Month. Senators in the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus discussed various topics impacting men’s health during a virtual town hall to bring more awareness to the cause. Inspired by the signing of House Bill 4589 creating a Men’s Health Division in the Illinois Department of Public Health, the senators were empowered to speak on how Illinois supports healthy communities.

State Senators Napoleon Harris III, Robert Peters and Elgie Sims R. Sims, Jr. discussed the importance of prostate cancer awareness, telehealth opportunities, going to the doctor and much more. The event was moderated by fellow Illinois Legislative Black Caucus member State Senator Christopher Belt.

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Illinois State Fairgrounds to receive $58.1 million investment due Turner-supported plan

SPRINGFIELD – New construction projects will soon pop up around the historic Illinois State Fairgrounds to address years of deferred maintenance thanks to advocacy of State Senator Doris Turner.

“The investment into the State Fairgrounds will provide an extensive facelift, further improving the fair experience for everyone,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “People from all over Illinois come to Springfield to enjoy the fair, and these investments will draw more tourists and provide them with a better State Fair experience for years to come.”

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Hunter’s CROWN Act is now law

CHICAGO – Employers can no longer discriminate based on hair, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act was signed into law Wednesday by Governor JB Pritzker, which includes hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists to the Illinois Human Rights Act’s definition of “race”.

“So much of our identity has been wrapped into our hair, and the way we wear it has been judged for centuries,” Hunter said. “The CROWN Act shouldn’t have been necessary in the land of the ‘free’, but its implementation will protect people from petty discrimination.”

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Senator Bush: I am speechless

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) released the following statement after the nation’s top court overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping millions of women across the nation from their right to choose.

“I am appalled, disgusted and disheartened. To be frank, I am speechless. While the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court comes at no surprise, I’m faced with a shock of emotion I never wanted to feel – and that’s because, despite it being 2022, there’s a war against women.

“Because of this decision, people will suffer and women will die. I am in complete dismay that this is where we are as a country. While I can go to sleep each night knowing women in Illinois are protected from the heinous ramifications of the ruling, it devastates me that women across the country don’t have the same freedom. To those women: Illinois is your safe haven. We welcome you with open arms.”

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