SPRINGFIELD – In response to reports of widespread racial inequality in how home loans and property appraisals are conducted, State Senators Jacqueline Collins and Mattie Hunter will host a subject matter hearing Thursday, seeking information on possible avenues for reform and continuing efforts by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to build an agenda ahead of the upcoming fall legislative session.

“Reporting and university studies have shown that the largest predictor of a Chicagoan’s ability to receive a home loan is still race, and the disparity in lending is worse now than it was in 1980,” Collins said. “This has fueled the cycle of generational poverty, and must be reformed.”

“Redlining and other discriminatory practices that were used to disparage Black homeowners decades ago are still in effect today,” Hunter said. “Black home seekers and homeowners need the same opportunities as white homeowners do.”

Economic access is among the four pillars guiding the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ 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 10 a.m.

WHO: State Senator Jacqueline Collins, State Senator Mattie Hunter, and other members of the Senate Financial Institutions, Senate Commerce and Economic Development, and Senate Executive Committees

WHAT: Subject matter hearing on racial inequality in home lending and ownership

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m.

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