The Majority Report 03/30/21 - Health Care Reforms and Safe Voting

Details: Category: Majority Report; Tuesday, March 30, 2021 08:03 PM

Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Celebrates Passage of Health Care Reform Measures

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) is celebrating passage of the Illinois Health Care and Human Service Reform Act, a broad-based measure addressing challenges facing Illinois families including health care access, infant and maternal mortality, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and hospital access in low-income communities.

“For months, we’ve listened to various health professionals break down all the disparities in our health care system that exist for Black, Brown and low-income Illinoisans,” State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) said. “Rectifying the injustices in our state’s health care system is a must, and there is no better time to enact such monumental legislation, with measures that will better everyone’s experience and potentially save lives.”

Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrates Women's History Month

SPRINGFIELD — In honor of Women’s History Month, some of our women legislators paid tribute to Jane Addams, Ida B. Wells, Gwendolyn Brooks and Maria Cerda: four women who paved the way for generations of leaders, and whose legacies of service and progress live on today. Thanks to Senators Melinda Bush, Laura Fine, Julie Morrison, Rachelle Crowe, Laura Ellman, Ann Gillespie, Celina Villanueva, Meg Loughran Cappel, Adriane Johnson, Laura Murphy and Mattie Hunter for sharing their stories.

Watch our video.

Hastings expansion of sick leave for airline employees passes Senate Labor Committee

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) passed legislation through the Senate Labor Committee last week that would expand sick leave options for airline employees.

“In Illinois, we understand that it’s unacceptable to force dedicated, hardworking people into a choice between paying their bills and caring for a loved one. Family comes first, always,” Hastings said. “Through this legislation, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for working families."

We want your input on redistricing

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus recently launched a series of statewide redistricting hearings, seeking public input as lawmakers begin the once-a-decade process of drawing new legislative boundaries to ensure communities receive equal representation. Senate Democrats are committed to a redistricting process guided by the principles of transparency, fairness and reflecting the diversity of Illinois.

This week, the Senate will host a number of those hearings. The dates are as follows:

Kankakee and Will Subcommittee: Monday, March 29 at 5 p.m. (Virtual Hearing)
Redistricting Committee: Tuesday, March 30 at 3 p.m. (Hybrid Hearing)
This is a hybrid committee, so you can watch or participate either online or in-person at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Chicago.
Southern Illinois Subcommittee: Thursday, April 1 at 5 p.m. (Virtual Hearing)
Chicago North Subcommittee: Friday, April 2 at 3 p.m. (Virtual Hearing)

To watch any of the committees, visit ilga.gov then click “audio/video” under the Senate tab at its start time. Additionally, if you would like to testify or submit written testimony to the Illinois State Senate Redistricting Committee or any of its subcommittees contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There are also more hearings to come. Visit the “hearings” tab on our redistricting website at ilsenateredistricting.com to learn more.

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