EAST ST. LOUIS – With the support of State Senator Christopher Belt, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will provide nearly $2.6 million to the City of East St. Louis to buy out 39 properties that have experienced repeated flooding and flood damage.

“Flooding has been a persistent and devastating issue for many families in East St. Louis,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The support of IDNR will provide a lifeline for residents who have faced repeated losses and help ensure their safety and well-being moving forward. I commend IDNR for recognizing the urgent need for this intervention and allocating the necessary resources to address it.”

The funding — through IDNR’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Program — will be used to reimburse the city for approved costs associated with acquiring homes on 39 lots, plus one vacant lot. This project includes up to $22,500 in additional funds to assist homeowners who resided in the flooded structures in purchasing a home.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford championed legislation in 2021 to ensure that the people of Illinois understood that Black history is American history. This year she is building upon that monumental measure by encouraging people to celebrate Juneteenth and reminding them of the reason for the holiday.

“Juneteenth being a state holiday reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This day gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate Black culture, Black achievements, and learn more about Black history.”

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. However, it was not until two years later in June of 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation freeing the last of slaves in the United States.

In 2021, Lightford championed House Bill 3922, which established June 19 as a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day. It is now a paid day off holiday for all state employees, as well as a federal holiday.

Today, Juneteenth has grown from the celebration of the abolition of slavery into a celebration of Black arts, culture, and the impacts of the civil rights movement throughout the country.

“The struggle for our people to achieve full equity in Illinois and across the nation continues still to this day,” Lightford said. “Juneteenth recognizes our accomplishments, our achievements, our culture, and reminds us that our fight is not over.”

Celebrating Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, federal troops marched into Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War was over and freed the remaining 250,000 enslaved men and women. As we commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth, we honor the African American leaders who have fought against racism and discrimination to end slavery and uphold civil rights. The holiday has always been a special part of so many of our lives.

“Juneteenth being a state holiday reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood). “This day gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate Black culture, Black achievements, and learn more about Black history.”

In 2021, Illinois passed legislation to mark Juneteenth as a state holiday – and Congress quickly followed suit, making it a federal holiday as well. It reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans and gives us an opportunity to celebrate our culture and achievements.

The fight isn’t over—and we continue to use today to reflect on ways to create a more just world.

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CHICAGO – Following President Joe Biden’s announcement of an executive order to protect immigrant spouses and provide a pathway to work permits to many previously without them, members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus expressed sincere appreciation for the opportunities these measures will open.

“Considering that this executive power can be challenged and even ended by a different administration, there is a lot more that needs to be done to provide permanent protections for undocumented communities that have contributed to this country for decades,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D – Chicago). “Today’s action is a great first step, but we must build on this progress and enact comprehensive reforms that honor our nation's history as a beacon of hope and opportunity for all.”

The executive order offers certain individuals without legal status who have been married to a U.S. citizen for at least 10 years the opportunity to remain in the country while applying for residency and work authorization.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, alongside Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, announced at a press conference Thursday that a resident in the 31st Senate District will receive $500,000 from a life insurance policy through the I-CASH program.

“My constituent was shocked when he learned that his wife had taken out a life insurance policy that added up to such a life-changing amount of money,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “However, far too often constituents are hesitant to believe my office when we call them about unclaimed property due to fear of fraud. It often takes my staff several contacts to gain trust.”

The State Treasurer’s Office reached the I-CASH program’s $2 billion mark in May by returning over $500,000 to a Lake County veteran whose late wife, also a veteran, had taken out a life insurance policy through a former employer, unbeknownst to the husband.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois will boost reimbursement for critical health services supporting vulnerable children and families, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Omar Aquino aimed at strengthening the Medicaid system.

“In Illinois, we are advancing equity by investing in the residents and health care providers who deserve a better system that meets their needs,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “These much-needed rate increases will support safety net hospitals, children’s health centers, mental health providers and programs that ensure the health and well-being of vulnerable children and families across our state.”

MCCOOK – State Senator Ram Villivalam announced the launch of a historic multi-year infrastructure program aimed to build and repair infrastructure across all 102 counties in Illinois, continuing the transformative impact of the Rebuild Illinois initiative.

“It is imperative that we continue to invest in our transportation system – a vital resource for all communities across our state,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With these new investments, we are working to ensure that everyone has the ability to access health care services, economic opportunities, visit with loved ones and much more.”

The record $41.42 billion multi-year program is partly attributed to the early engineering and planning efforts of Rebuild Illinois and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which have spurred increased construction activity. The previous record was $40.99 billion in 2023.

Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus helped secure funding for local chambers of commerce that will go toward supporting businesses and helping them recover from the lingering economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The State of Illinois’ B2B Local Chambers program is critical to helping local chambers of commerce continue moving in a positive trajectory after the devastating effects of the pandemic,” said State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Illinois is committed to supporting communities across the state through grant funding programs such as B2B and beyond.”

Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, grants through the Back to Business Local Chambers program will be used by chambers to market and develop localities, provide small businesses with professional development opportunities and support small businesses and entrepreneurs while bolstering economic development.