CHICAGO — State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), Senate Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the body camera footage which led to the indictment of the ex-deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home:

“This video is sickening. It is despicable and disgusting to see such brutal violence toward an innocent Black woman. How did this person ever become a law enforcement officer?

“This is why we fought for increased transparency.

“This is why we fought for body camera requirements.

“This is why we fought to end cash bail to keep dangerous people detained.

“But arresting and detaining the perpetrator isn’t the end. Justice demands answers and accountability. We need to know how and why someone capable of such a horrible act was given a badge and a gun in the first place.

“The repeated murders of unarmed Black people across the country is sickening and emotionally traumatizing. Sonya Massey is dead because she called 911 for help. Our communities deserve better. We stand with the Springfield community and the Massey family.

“May Sonya Massey’s memory be a blessing and bring comfort to those who knew her.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) released the following statement in response to the body camera footage being released in the shooting of Sonya Massey:

“Nothing could prepare our community to see such a blatant disregard for human life. Sonya deserved so much more.

“We need to come together to seek justice and do all we can to prevent another Black man or woman from being unjustly killed.

“I stand with the Massey family in their calls for justice and peace.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes’ legislation to require insurers to cover care for mental and emotional recovery for those suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth has been signed into law today.

“Those who have faced the loss of an infant can cope with the trauma for the rest of their lives; it is often an overpowering shock,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This pain can trigger anxiety, stress and depression, and may lead to substance abuse.”

SPRINGFIELD – School districts will now be required to provide resources and services for special education students who do not have a guardian under a new law backed by State Senator Rachel Ventura.

“This law was crafted to advocate for special high needs education students who do not have a guardian to petition schools to provide resources for them,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Everybody deserves an education that provides them the resources they need to succeed. We cannot in good conscience leave these students to fend for themselves if they need a specialized school to meet their needs so they can succeed.”

SPRINGFIELD – Utility customers who apply for state energy bill assistance will soon have greater protections safeguarding them from disconnection, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“This is about making sure our most vulnerable community members do not have to face the threat of losing essential utility services while they seek much-needed financial assistance,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “It provides a critical safety net during times of economic uncertainty.”

To ensure vulnerable populations maintain access to essential utilities during times of financial hardship, the measure requires electric and gas companies with more than 500,000 customers to prevent the disconnection of utility services for those actively seeking energy payment assistance.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham led two initiatives to expand family counseling services and disability benefits for first responders that were signed into law on Friday. 

“These laws recognize the job-related stress that first responders have to deal with,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Many first responders will no longer have to worry if their department will cover family counseling services.”

House Bill 4460 requires every self-insured county and municipality to provide coverage for marriage and couples counseling for firefighters and police officers. Coverage for marriage or couples counseling has not been required in insurance plans for first responders because it had not been considered a diagnosable mental health condition.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a newly signed proposal to enhance Scott’s Law by further protecting construction workers.

“Expanding Scott’s Law to include constructions zones is essential to ensuring the safety of workers and drivers alike,” said Villanueva (D–Chicago). “By prioritizing this preventative law we are instituting safeguard for the lives of everyone involved.”

Scott's Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights, and any stationary vehicle with their hazard lights activated. The measure also states, if changing would be impossible or unsafe, drivers would be required to proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle and leave a safe distance until safely passing the stationary vehicle.

SPRINGFIELD – Due to our unique geology, Illinois has attracted interest from industry to pursue carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects. In response to this growing industry, State Senator Laura Fine passed legislation to ensure these projects meet some of the strongest environmental protections in the nation.

“Senate Bill 1289 secures long-term protections to keep Illinois communities safe and benefit from the growing carbon capture and sequestration industry,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview). “Over the course of many months, environmental advocates, unions, landowners and industry helped to establish robust safety requirements to protect our land and water, ensuring that corporations, not Illinois taxpayers, are held liable for operations and safety.”