SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant will host a subject matter hearing on graduation requirements and mental health resources and recovery Wednesday, continuing efforts by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to build an agenda ahead of the upcoming fall legislative session.

The joint hearing of the Senate Higher Education and Senate Education Committees is prompted by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus on education reform, which is one of four pillars guiding their legislative agenda to eliminate systemic racism. The pillars include:

1. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
2. Education and workforce development
3. Economic access, equity and opportunity
4. Health care and human services

Those who wish to submit written testimony to the hearing can do so online at www.ilga.gov.

To watch the virtual committee, visit https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp and click "Watch Live Virtual Committee Video." The link will be available at 12 p.m.

WHO: Joint Senate Education Committee and Higher Education Committee

WHAT: Subject matter hearing on graduation requirements and mental health resources and recovery

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 12 p.m.

WHERE: Conducted remotely via Zoom and broadcast live on https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp or on Blue Room Stream, a subscription-based service.