Villa declares October Manufacturing Month

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate supported an effort led by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) to declare October Manufacturing Month in Illinois.

“More than 550,000 manufacturers across our state deserve thanks and recognition this Manufacturing Month for the work they do to produce billions of dollars in output,” Villa said. “This year in particular, our manufacturing industry has saved lives by producing medical supplies to protect our communities from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I could not be more grateful for their hard work.”

Read more: Villa declares October Manufacturing Month

Jones urges establishment of new task force to examine conviction integrity

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a resolution sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) urging the Attorney General to establish a task force examining the creation of a statewide conviction integrity unit.

The creation of the integrity unit will seek to identify and overturn wrongful convictions, setting anyone who has been falsely imprisoned free.

“No one should be serving time for a crime they did not commit,” Jones said. “The criminal justice system at times proves to have no justice at all, especially for Black and Brown folks.”

Though African Americans make up only 13% of America’s population, they make up 47% of America’s exonerations. According to the City Bureau, over 2,000 Americans have been wrongfully convicted since 1989. Illinois has had 303 wrongful convictions since then.

Read more: Jones urges establishment of new task force to examine conviction integrity

Hunter bill to fully implement CHW certification program

SPRINGFIELD – A bill by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to ensure the provisions in the Community Health Worker Advisory Board Act are fully implemented advanced out of the Senate Thursday night.

“I am happy that the health care pillar was passed, and now we have to make sure that every measure is implemented the way we intended,” Hunter said. “With this follow-up legislation, we can finally bring the proper certification to these essential health workers.”

Senate Bill 336 will progress the full implementation of the community health worker certification program that was part of this spring’s House Bill 158. It also makes changes to reporting dates for commissions, task forces and boards.

Read more: Hunter bill to fully implement CHW certification program

Villivalam establishes Diwali as official holiday in Illinois

­

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed a resolution in the Illinois Senate that declares Nov. 4, 2021 as Diwali Day in Illinois.

“I am honored to celebrate Diwali as an official holiday this year,” Villivalam said. “Our communities that observe Diwali are grateful to live in a welcoming state that values the religious and cultural diversity of its residents.”

Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs worldwide. It celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, symbolically represented by a festival of lights. Celebrants of Diwali traditionally light small oil lamps throughout their homes, craft flower garlands, share sweets and launch paper lanterns after dark.

Senate Resolution 593 passed without opposition in the Illinois Senate.