CHICAGO – Monday, the Senate Human Services and Public Health Committees held a joint hearing on behavioral health issues and disparities in Illinois, where State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) advocated for more Black and Brown behavioral health professionals, as well as increased options for treatment in communities of color.

 “Not only do Black Illinoisans have less access to behavioral health centers, they are less likely to have insurance and more likely to deal with doctors who don’t look like them,” Hunter said. “Many of these medical professionals have implicit biases and need to be trained on cultural competency.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that two-thirds of Blacks and Latinos with a mental illness and nearly 90% with a substance use disorder do not receive treatment.

“Lack of access to treatment is harming Black communities, which often face more behavioral and mental health issues,” Hunter said. “The opioid crisis, combined with COVID-19 and systemic racism, is a serious threat that needs to be addressed thoroughly.”

Data from the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois found that though African Americans make up under 24% of the Cook County's population, they account for more than 50% of all opioid deaths in the county this year.

Committee members heard from Dan Rabbitt, Senior Manager of Health Policy of Heartland Alliance, who recommended that the General Assembly support the following:

• Investing in prevention and proper medication distribution
• Integrating medications used for opioid disorder
• Reducing criminal penalties for low level drug offenses

CEO of the Community Behavioral Health Association Marvin Lindsey also recommended that the General Assembly support maintaining telehealth flexibility, which he believes will help increase health care accessibility for Black patients.

Future joint hearings for the Public Health and Human Services Committees will be scheduled next month.

Munoz announces second round of broadband expansion grant applications

CHICAGO — Applications for a second round of grants to expand broadband in underserved communities was recently announced, and State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is encouraging any group eligible to apply.

“Lack of quality broadband access continues to severely affect families across the state,” Munoz said. “People depend on vital services to keep them connected by virtual means during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as e-learning, telehealth care services and connecting with family and friends.”

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Harmon: Deanna Demuzio dedicated her life to community and public service

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement on the passing of former state senator Deanna Demuzio:

“Deanna Demuzio dedicated her life to community and public service. Along the way, she made great friends and taught us all so much about how to be better. She fought hard to improve our education system after years spent working at Lewis and Clark Community College and to fight for better health care given how it affected her family. She took up all of this after tragically losing another great friend of Illinois, her husband, Senator Vince Demuzio.”

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Manar meets with children's advocacy group to address downstate child abuse issues

SPRINGFIELD — To discuss further steps to assist survivors of child abuse in the Springfield area and throughout downstate, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) met with Sangamon County Children’s Advocacy Center employees and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois advocates Thursday.

During last spring’s budget negotiations, Manar, who chairs the Senate Appropriations II Committee, fought to ensure that Children’s Advocacy Centers received the funding they need to continue providing crucial treatment services.

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Black Caucus committee round up for week of Oct. 19

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus held a number of hearings throughout the week to dive further into racial disparities across all sectors of life and to continue to build upon its four-pillar legislative agenda to eliminate systemic racism ahead of the fall veto session.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) will hold a joint press conference with state and community leaders to announce a new hotline that will connect farmers to health professionals and services through the Farm Family Resource Initiative.

“Small farms are the core of our state’s economy, and farmers are on the front lines to provide food for our communities. The reality of this pandemic is that a new layer of stress has been put on farmers and farm families,” said Bennett. “The Farm Family Resource Initiative and new helpline will give farmers additional support to help folks recognize and navigate these times.”

At the press conference, Bennett will be joined by Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II, Southern Illinois University System President Dr. Daniel Mahony, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Dean & Provost Dr. Jerry Kruse, Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert Jr. and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

CHICAGO – The Senate held a joint hearing Monday to discuss the vast disparities Illinoisans face in access to treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) advocates for prioritizing mental health through a holistic approach.

“It’s crucial that we examine the intersections of mental health, bias and incarceration rates,” said Van Pelt, chair of the Senate Public Health Committee. “One in five people shot and killed by the police suffered from mental illness. People who should be getting treated for their illnesses are instead being abused, killed and locked up. We must begin to look at these issues differently.”

BUFFALO GROVE – In response to a 19-year-old Black man being fatally shot by police in her community, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is pushing for an end of police brutality and equity for Black people across the state.

“Justice must be served for this young man — and every man, woman and child who has been a victim of systemic racism and police brutality,” Johnson said. “We have to get to the root of this problem and ensure that we do not become numb to or normalize these senseless deaths.  And, we have to dismantle systemic racism.”

Marcellis Stinnette, a 19-year-old unarmed Black man, was fatally shot by a Waukegan police officer last week. An officer shot at a vehicle last Tuesday night, killing Stinnette and wounding the driver, 20-year-old Tafara Williams. The officer was later fired for committing “multiple policy and procedure violations,” according to the Waukegan Police Department.

Johnson said last week’s heartbreaking incident is further proof of the need to pass the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ four pillar legislative agenda this fall. The group’s agenda addresses criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability, as well as economic and health care equity.

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has held a number of committee hearings over the past month in an effort to dive further into racial disparities across all sectors of life.

The four pillars include:

I. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
II. Education and workforce development
III. Economic access, equity and opportunity
IV. Health care and human services

“I extend my thoughts and prayers to Marcellis Stinnette’s family and friends for his tragic and untimely death. I pray for a speedy and full recovery for Tafara Williams, as she is fighting for her life,” Johnson said. “But, thoughts and prayers are simply not enough. I know we are feeling an emptiness and deep-rooted pain because of the repeated shootings of Black and Brown people.”

CHICAGO—Illinois lawmakers will discuss police reform during a hearing called by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus on Tuesday.

Senate Criminal Law Chair State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) and Senate Public Safety Special Committee Chair State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) will co-chair the joint hearing. State Representative Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) of the House Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee and other members of the committees will participate as guests.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), joined with Gov. JB Pritzker and officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation to mark the completion of the Murray Baker Bridge’s renovation project Monday.

“The revitalization of the Murray Baker Bridge is a long time coming," Koehler said. "The peace of mind that comes with regular maintenance of our roads and bridges cannot be understated and the newly installed lights add to the already magnificent Peoria skyline."

CHICAGO – To analyze the issues in mental health and substance abuse, Senate Public Health Chair Patricia Van Pelt, Executive Chair Mattie Hunter and Health and Human Services Chair Julie Morrison will lead a joint Senate committee hearing Monday morning.

“Mental health is a sector of public health that is often overlooked in Black communities,” Van Pelt said. “It is important that we shine a light on the trauma-enforced issues and start the conversation around trauma-informed care.”

“Advancing solutions in behavioral health is one of my biggest priorities,” Hunter said. “Nothing matters if we don’t prioritize our mental wellbeing. It’s crucial that we promote mental health awareness, especially in the midst of the pandemic.”