CHICAGO – Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced a plan to deploy agents from the Department of Homeland Security to Chicago to respond to local unrest.  State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“The president continues to wreak havoc and chaos across our country by determining that Homeland Security agents should be sent to Chicago,” Feigenholtz said. “There is no way to identify them, no specific purpose for their deployment, and they have no business coming to our city. The Trump administration’s actions provide nothing more than an endless list of failures since the day this administration began.”

The news comes just days after federal agents were deployed to Portland, Oregon. Quickly, footage of these agents using excessive force on protesters surfaced, leading many to fear similar acts of violence may occur in Chicago.

“If the president is truly concerned about the well-being of Chicago residents, then he should do something to address the public health crisis we’re currently facing instead of risking further serious injuries by sending in federal agents,” Feigenholtz said.

The Trump administration has not released any information about when the deployment of federal agents is scheduled to occur.

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is highlighting the Illinois Department of Human Services’ COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, which created 100 summer jobs for Lake County teens.

“So many teens rely on summer work — especially those who live in low-income households,” Morrison said. “The current pandemic made finding jobs more difficult. However, thanks to the program, dozens of teens will be able to earn money while learning skills they can put to use both now and for years to come.”

Lake County-based Employee Connections was one of 30 youth employment providers to receive $500,000 to employ 100 youth between June and August. The program will provide a total of $9.3 million to support dozens of projects across counties hardest hit by the pandemic, which in turn will employ thousands of teens.

Many people — both teens and adults — have struggled to find work during the COVID-19 health crisis. The program will curb those struggles by putting Lake County teens to work while helping complete projects in the community.

“The program will allow teens to kick start their careers by learning the skills they need to succeed in the future,” Morrison said. “This is a great opportunity for young adults to receive career training that will shape them into community leaders for years to come.”

GRAYSLAKE — State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is warning Illinoisans about possible unemployment debit card fraud after multiple reports of people receiving cards they didn’t apply for. 

“There are so many people struggling to get legitimate unemployment benefits right now,” Bush said. “It’s sickening that there are people taking advantage of other people’s problems to perpetrate scams at a time like this.”

According to a recent report from ABC7 in Chicago, multiple people have received unemployment benefits even though they never applied for them. The Arlington Heights Police Department said it received nearly 20 reports in four days, and it’s working with the Illinois Department of Employment Security to get to the bottom of it. 

People who receive a debit card in the mail they didn’t apply for should do the following:

• Don’t activate the card
• Contact the bank and report fraud
• Report it as fraud to IDES
• Freeze their credit report
• Check their bank balances online
• File a police report

“Fraud and identify theft are real problems that need to be taken seriously,” Bush said. “If you suspect that you’re a victim of these crimes, report it immediately.”

People who believe they are a victim of this fraud should contact their local police department or IDES at 312-793-3200. 

Feigenholtz: AJ Freund case a reminder that there is still work to be done

CHICAGO – A judge in McHenry Country sentenced JoAnn Cunningham to 35 years in prison Friday for the murder of AJ Freund, her 5-year-old son. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), who established a bipartisan, bicameral working group to address shortfalls in the Department of Children and Family Services in the wake of AJ’s death, stressed the importance of addressing and fixing these issues.

“There is no possible sentence that could provide justice to AJ Freund,” Feigenholtz said. “He was only five years old, and was killed by someone who was supposed to be taking care of him. The unfortunate reality is that until we can address and fix the issues plaguing DCFS, AJ’s story won’t be the last.”

Cunningham killed Freund in April of 2019 in what Judge Robert Wilbrandt described as “inhumane, repulsive and, frankly, shocking” actions. Freund was beaten to death by Cunningham while in their home on April 19, 2019, and was buried in a shallow, unmarked grave by his father, Drew Freund. He was found six days later.

The case shined a light onto the deficiencies in the DCFS system, which Freund and Cunningham were a part of, and prompted Feigenholtz to push for the formation of the working group.

“After I heard the tragic news of AJ’s death, my stance was that we as a legislature need to continue our diligent work so that we can ensure DCFS and its partner agencies have the resources and tools they require to protect all of the children that fall under their care,” Feigenholtz said. “We made some progress, but there is still a long road ahead of us and a lot of work to be done.”

Cunningham faced up to a maximum of 60 years in prison. Under Friday’s sentencing, she is ineligible for parole. Drew Freund is also charged with first-degree murder but has not yet faced trial.

Van Pelt, Peters call for death penalty to be abolished

CHICAGO — Last week, the US Supreme Court lifted a stay of execution of federal prisoners, leading the way for the state of Indiana to conduct the first federal use of capital punishment in 17 years.

State Senators Patricia Van Pelt and Robert Peters (D-Chicago) both call for the dealth penalty to be abolished nationwide.

“In a time when hundreds of thousands of people are dying from a viral pandemic, we should be looking to lower the number of deaths, not unnecessarily add to them," Peters said. "Even if we ignore the fact that many prisoners who are executed are innocent, executing people for crimes is extremely inhumane and barbaric, and it has no place in modern society."

Read more from Peters.

“Is this the way we want to use the power of the state, in the middle of a global pandemic: to kill people?” Van Pelt said. “There can be no true exoneration after the death penalty. People like George Stinney can never be brought back.”

Read more from Van Pelt.

Manar moves to memorialize MLK Jr.'s 1965 speech at Illinois AFL-CIO convention

SPRINGFIELD — Nearly 55 years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his renowned speech at the Illinois State AFL-CIO’s 8th annual convention, in which he predicted that future generations would look back and honor those who sought to unite the Civil Rights and Labor Movements, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker) is leading an effort to make Dr. King’s words a reality.

Manar filed Senate Joint Resolution 67 last week, calling for a bronze plaque to be placed at the site of the historic address — the soon-to-be restored Illinois State Armory — to commemorate the civil rights icon’s legacy and visit to Springfield.

Read more.

Villivalam speaks for Illinois' growing Asian American population in Illinois Senate

CHICAGO — Reacting to news that the Census Bureau has identified Asian Americans from countries like India and China as the fastest growing demographic group in Illinois, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) vowed to continue to vigorously support Asian Americans, both recent immigrants and those who have been here for generations.

“We need to ensure Asian Americans have access to all of the same state services as other Illinois residents,” said Villivalam, the first Asian American elected to the Illinois Senate and the Co-Chair of the Illinois General Assembly’s Asian American Caucus. “Making sure documents and websites are available in Asian languages is an important first step, and one that I’ve been pushing especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Read more.

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CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement in response to the loss of Congressman John Lewis Friday night.

“We lost a giant in the fight for civil rights. Congressman John Lewis unapologetically and fiercely fought for the rights of Black people and every marginalized population in our country. He carried on the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King first manifested in 1963 to his dying day, and we have to continue to carry that vision until it is reality.

“Have no doubt that we are in a movement that has the power to finally turn the tide, and if we each approach it with an ounce of the courage Congressman Lewis had, we will change our country.

“Last night, the Chicago Police department took actions against protestors that are much too reminiscent of the same actions that were taken against Congressman Lewis in his youth. We cannot be public servants if our interest is not in serving the public, and we cannot treat monuments better than we treat people.”

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler issued the following statement Friday after news of the death of Peoria civil rights icon C.T. Vivian:

“Rev. C.T. Vivian was a pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement and gave pride to all Peorians because of his Peoria roots. I met him years ago when he spoke in Peoria and came away in awe of his dedication and insight on where we need to be headed as a nation. I thank God for the life of this dedicated man. We need to continue his memory to help inspire future generations.”

C.T. Vivian was a civil rights activist whom Martin Luther King Jr. once described as “the greatest preacher to ever live.” Vivian’s career began in Peoria, where he was hired to work for the Carver Community Center. While at Carver Community Center, Vivian participated in his first civil rights sit-in, where he successfully integrated Barton’s Cafeteria.

SKOKIE – To celebrate the reopening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) paid a visit to the museum alongside a few of her colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly.

“The values of the Illinois Holocaust Museum—standing against hatred, prejudice and indifference, and moving toward a better future—are especially relevant during this time of unrest,” said Fine. “I was thrilled to be able view the exhibits and share in this experience with my fellow legislators, as well as show off one of the gems of the 9^th District.”

The museum closed its doors in mid-March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure a safe reopening, the museum has introduced strict health and safety measures, including thorough cleaning procedures and temperature screenings for all visitors. Visitors must also wear face masks and purchase tickets online ahead of time.

The museum’s largest display is the Zev and Shifra Karkomi Holocaust Exhibition, which features more than 500 artifacts, documents and photographs from the era of the Holocaust. Visitors can also listen to Holocaust survivors tell their stories through interactive 3D holograms at the Take a Stand Center, named one of the top 12 exhibits in the world by Smithsonian Magazine in 2017.

Fine and State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) explored the museum’s current special exhibition, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The exhibition was set to run through Aug. 16, 2020, but has been extended through Jan. 3, 2021.

“The Illinois Holocaust Museum’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg exhibit celebrates her life’s work and commitment to upholding our nation’s values,” Gillespie said. “I was delighted to join the Senate and House Women’s Caucuses for a tour of the museum. With acts of anti-Semitism and white supremacy on the rise, the educational services the museum offers are more important than ever.”

To learn more about the museum, take advantage of virtual programs or reserve tickets, visit www.ILHolocaustMuseum.org.

PHOTO: State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) poses with a display at Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the current special exhibition showing at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie.