Sims urges African Americans to get counted for Black Census Day

SPRINGFIELD – To celebrate 155 years of emancipation and encourage accurate representation of all Illinois communities, State Senator Elgie R. Sims (D-Chicago) urges African Americans to respond to the 2020 Census on Black Census Day.

“It’s no accident that Black Census Day falls on Juneteenth this year. Both are opportunities for us to stand united and amplify black voices,” Sims said. “It is so important to make sure that black communities are counted to help close funding gaps and provide desperately needed resources to African Americans throughout Illinois.”

Read more: Sims urges African Americans to get counted for Black Census Day

Aquino: Help is on the way for people experiencing housing instability, small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and civil unrest

CHICAGO – A comprehensive relief package aimed to support working families, small businesses, and communities heavily impacted by COVID-19 and civil unrest will be available starting this August, announced State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago).

Aquino was key in the negotiations on behalf of the Latino Caucus to assemble a $900 million funding package along with the Black Caucus, the Asian Caucus, and the Pritzker administration.

Read more: Aquino: Help is on the way for people experiencing housing instability, small businesses impacted...

Harris moves to declare Juneteenth a state holiday

SPRINGFIELD – To mark the anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S., State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) has proposed legislation that would make June 19—also known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day—a state holiday. 

“It’s time Illinois recognizes and observes the day African Americans were actually given their freedom, not just on paper, but in practice,” Harris said. “Making June 19 a state holiday is a way to celebrate African Americans’ freedom and highlight not just how far we have come, but also remind us how far we have to go.”

The legislation would declare June 19 Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Illinois.

Read more: Harris moves to declare Juneteenth a state holiday

Castro remembers lives lost to traffic accidents

ELGIN – With the launch of the next phase of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s “Life or Death Illinois” campaign, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is taking time to remember people who lost their lives in traffic accidents and urges others to do the same.

“It’s important to consider that traffic fatalities are not just statistics on a page. They are real people,” Castro said. “Each one is a unique individual with a rich, vibrant life story who left behind family and friends who miss them dearly every day. We need to remember these individuals, not just in how their life impacted those around them, but how their death did as well.”

IDOT started Life or Death Illinois in 2018 with the goal of reducing traffic injuries and fatalities, with a specific focus on motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, seatbelt use, safe driving in work zones, and not driving while impaired or distracted. In 2019, there were 26 fewer deaths on Illinois roads than the previous year.

“Traffic accidents do not discriminate. They can happen to anyone at any time, and in an instant, an entire family’s life is changed forever,” Castro said.

Visit lifeordeathillinois.com to follow the campaign or share stories of lives lost.