Lightford to make Juneteenth a state holiday

Freedom Day for Slaves

SPRINGFIELD – Because Black history is American history, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) is pushing to create a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day on June 19.

“On June 19, 1865, the last slaves were freed, which created a milestone for Black Americans that should be celebrated and used to help educate youth today,” Lightford said. “Making Juneteenth a state holiday is a way of highlighting our freedom and reminding us how far we’ve come.”

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. In 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed, leading to the name Juneteenth.

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Hunter continues the fight to eradicate racism in health care

SPRINGFIELD – A transformative plan by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to end health care disparities in Illinois was advanced out of the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

“I am happy to reintroduce the health care pillar this session, and ready for it to progress all the way,” Hunter said. “The pandemic has exacerbated the need for social equity in the health care sector, and the measures in this bill will dramatically alter the structure of our health care system for the better.”

Access to health care, hospital closures, managed care organization reform, community health worker certification, maternal and infant mortality, mental and substance abuse treatment, hospital reform, and medical implicit bias are all areas that would be remedied in the groundbreaking legislation, originally introduced during January’s session.

Read more: Hunter continues the fight to eradicate racism in health care

Hastings expansion of sick leave for airline employees passes Senate Labor Committee

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) passed legislation through the Senate Labor Committee Wednesday that would expand sick leave options for airline employees.

“In Illinois, we understand that it’s unacceptable to force dedicated, hardworking people into a choice between paying their bills and caring for a loved one. Family comes first, always,” Hastings said. “Through this legislation, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for working families.”

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Bush measure would allow people with mental health conditions to bypass ER

SPRINGFIELD – When a person with a mental health condition calls 911, they don’t always need the hospital – but are typically taken to an emergency room rather than the mental health facility they require. State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is leading a measure that would change that by allowing EMS workers to take patients where they’ll most benefit.

“Imagine going through a mental health crisis, then being taken to an emergency room, rather than a place that can actually help you,” Bush said. “That’s going to cause anger and frustration – let alone waste time that could be used to begin treatment.”

Currently, EMS providers can only take a patient to an emergency room, where a medical professional can then determine if they would be better suited for a mental health facility. To bypass the extra – often unnecessary and costly – step, Senate Bill 693 allows direct transport to proper assistance. 

Read more: Bush measure would allow people with mental health conditions to bypass ER