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.

CHICAGO - A new law sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) will help increase the diversity of Illinois’ business community.

“Diversity is an important aspect of the business community,” Jones said. “All historically discriminated against communities deserve representation in the business world.”

Senate Bill 1730 requires publicly held domestic or foreign corporations in Illinois to report the self-identified sexual orientation and gender identity of each member of the company board in their annual report to the secretary of state.

CHICAGO - A new law co-sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) will remove a huge barrier that minorities and marginalized people face when obtaining state level employment. 

“Illinois is a very diverse state, and state agencies should reflect that diversity,” Jones said. “Panels that incorporate interviewers who share a similar background with the applicant will help ensure the best people are hired.”

CHICAGO - State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago), Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois Senate, issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget:

“The budget that passed the legislature, most importantly, is balanced and responsible. I’m proud we continued to fund health care and education, as both are important to the lives of so many people in this state.

“Additional Medicaid funding for community health workers, psychiatric rate increases for safety net hospitals, doulas and home-visiting programs will help make these services available to families in Black and Brown communities. This budget also preserves access to OB/GYN and other specialty services in safety net hospitals, helping reduce disproportionate rates of maternal mortality in the Black community.

“We also increased funding for schools with the greatest need. Students at these schools not only deserve access to the same resources as other students, they often need extra help. Continuing to increase our investments in education is the surest way to guide Illinois to a brighter future.”

CHICAGO - State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) has passed legislation that would create an electronic record on opioid prescriptions to help track doctors who overprescribe and help stem the ongoing opioid epidemic.

“Too many people have tragically lost their lives to the opioid epidemic,” Jones said. “Tracking opioid prescriptions can help us identify areas where these drugs are entering our communities.”

The legislation would require opioid prescriptions to be sent electronically so that they can be recorded in the Prescription Monitoring Program. An exemption could be granted for prescribers who certify to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation that they will not issue more than 25 prescriptions per year.

CHICAGO - State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) announced that the 14th Illinois Senate District is set to receive over $42 million for the 2022 fiscal year as part of the state’s ongoing multi-year construction plan.

“With the state’s economy recovering from the pandemic, I welcome the millions of dollars in projects coming to the area,” Jones said. “These improvements will help create good-paying jobs and make much needed improvements to important roads.”

The improvements include resurfacing and drainage improvements to eight miles of Interstate 57 south of the Tri-State-Tollway.

Chicago - State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to the news that Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd:

“I’m relieved that the jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. The criminal justice system hasn’t always treated the Black community fairly, but in this case, justice was served.”

“This verdict will only go so far in easing the pain of the Floyd family and other Black Americans. We should never have to fear being killed by police officers.”

CHICAGO: State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) announced $2.5 million in grant funding to expand recreational activities for Alsip area residents through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) grant program, which will be used to expand an existing facility.

“This grant will greatly expand Alsip’s indoor recreation facilities,” Jones said. “This funding demonstrates a continued commitment from the state to invest in opportunities for more people and families to maintain or improve their health.”

The expansion of an existing facility in Alsip will include an indoor walking track, an additional multi-purpose gymnasium, an expanded fitness center, an indoor playground, additional program spaces including senior and teen areas, and seating in the existing gymnasium.

The PARC grant program provides up to 90% of project costs to help build, renovate and improve recreational buildings used by the public, with local governments matching the value of the grants awarded. The grant to the Alsip Park District was one of 17 grants awarded across the state Wednesday.

A full list of grantees is available on IDNR’s website.