State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) released the following statement in response to the release of body camera footage of the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, who was shot and killed by police in Chicago on March 29:

“My heart breaks for the family of Adam Toledo, and my condolences go out to all who knew and loved him.

“We have seen this tragedy play out over and over again in this country, and it never gets easier. This is a system that needs to be reformed through better training, higher standards and more accountability.

“We also need to build communities that give families like Adam’s more opportunities to succeed. Black and Brown communities are so often left behind when it comes to educational and economic opportunities.

“This is a heartbreaking and preventable situation. As we look toward reform, we need to make sure that Black and Brown communities have their voices heard to help prevent any more tragic situations like this one.”

Spanish translation available on Sen. Castro’s website here.

CHICAGO – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) issued the following statement following the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“There are no words to describe witnessing a child die by violence. My heart breaks for the family of Adam Toledo and the Little Village community.

“The compounded trauma, with a years-long pandemic and unending violence, paralyzes any parent with fear, looking at their own child and thinking, ’this could have been my child.’ Adam Toledo is our child, and our system has failed him.

“Police officers need more training on how to avoid the use of deadly force while protecting innocent members of the public. The Toledo family and our communities deserve a transparent and thorough investigation of all involved.

“The family requests calm and respectful gatherings during this time of mourning. We must look at this tragic event and enact change now.”

SPRINGFIELD – More Illinoisans could qualify for two state property tax relief programs under legislation from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to raise the maximum income limitations for the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral and the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption.

“As many households recover from the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic, it’s critical that we offer a hand however we can,” Murphy said. “These programs already provide relief to older residents across the state—it’s time to bump up the income thresholds and allow more people to benefit.”

FRANKFORT –  State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, oversaw a hearing Thursday on legislation that would put hundreds of thousands of union laborers to work building a 100 percent clean energy economy in Illinois.

“As chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, I have had the distinct privilege of visiting with the hard-working men and women who help power Illinois,” Hastings said. “Moreover, I am one of the few in Illinois and in the country who has visited every nuclear generating facility in our state. Those who work in this industry take pride in all they do, coming from all walks of life. Their passion, hard work, and profession should not, and will not, be overshadowed by the dark cloud cast by a greedy few.”

Senate Bill 1100, the Climate Union Jobs Act would create and save an estimated 280,000 jobs and provide over $150 million annually in rate relief to low-income families, in addition to:

• Preserving the state’s nuclear fleet and other renewable generation
• Establishing new accountability and transparency requirements for utility companies
• Creating a just transition for communities economically reliant on fossil fuel generation and establishes equity requirements for clean energy jobs
• Reducing the state’s emissions from buildings and transportation
• Setting union labor standards when Renewable Portfolio Standard, Carbon Mitigation and Solar for All credits are used.

“As a legislative body, in a collective and inclusive manner, we must address the immediate threats that face our state,” Hastings said. “Today, we continued to examine these threats, hearing from passionate advocates from both sides of the energy industry. I want to thank them for their hard work, dedication, and investment in Illinois’ clean energy future. I look forward to the culmination of all our hard work and the passage of a piece of legislation we can all be proud of.”

The Senate Energy and Public Utilities will continue to meet in the following weeks to chart the course for the future of Illinois’ clean energy infrastructure.

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is outraged after viewing the footage of police shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo, and released the following statement:

“My heart goes out to the family of Adam Toledo. The video confirms something Black and Brown Americans have known for centuries: The police force was never created to protect us.

“People who have vowed to protect and serve cannot keep lying to the public and expect trust and civility in return – especially when Black and Brown families keep losing their loved ones to police bullets. The marginalized cannot keep witnessing the death of their kin and believe their lives matter in this unjust world.

“This cycle of police violence cannot continue, and I will continue to advocate for more justice and accountability from such oppressive systems, starting with the Chicago Police Department.”

The Joint Illinois Legislative Latino and Black Caucuses released the following statement following the graphic video release of Chicago Police Department shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo in the chest. Toledo was shot and killed by CPD on March 29, in an alley on the city’s west side. Members released the following:

“We want to send our love to Adam Toledo’s family, friends, and his community. The killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo should’ve never happened. This is an example of our society’s failure, a byproduct of the systemic disadvantages that impact communities of color.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to newly released body camera footage of the police-involved shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“As a resident of Little Village, my heart was broken by the loss of yet another young life. I extend my deepest condolences to Adam Toledo’s family during their time of unimaginable loss and to the community that mourns with them.

“While confirmed killers like Kyle Rittenhouse are calmly taken into custody by law enforcement, Black and Brown children are not afforded that treatment. Instead, many are killed and branded as thugs to excuse their murders. This double standard in narratives vilifies working-class people and people of color while eliciting sympathy for affluent white people like Rittenhouse.

“Communities subjected to state violence know that heavier policing will not address the underlying causes of poverty and racism. This is a systemic issue that is larger than this one incident. Our neighborhoods have been systematically disinvested in, which is why funding for schools, housing, health care and jobs in our communities are necessary in the fight to prevent further violence and create opportunity for all. 

“Adam Toledo was a 13-year-old child who was victim of a broken system. A transparent investigation is essential for justice, and we must hold those accountable for this child’s death.”

Villanueva demanda rendición de cuentas por el tiroteo en el que murió el joven de 13 años, Adam Toledo

CHICAGO – La Senadora estatal Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) dio a conocer la siguiente declaración como respuesta al video de cámara corporal dado a conocer del tiroteo en contra del joven de 13 años, Adam Toledo, en el que está involucrada la Policía.

“Como residente de La Villita, tengo el corazón roto por otra vida más que se pierde de un joven. Envío mis más sentidas condolencias a la familia de Adam Toledo ante esta inimaginable de pérdida, un luto que es compartido por la comunidad.

“Mientras que asesinos confirmados como Kyle Rittenhouse son puestos en custodia con toda tranquilidad por parte de los oficiales del orden, los niños de las comunidades afroamericana y latina no reciben ese trato. En su lugar, muchos de ellos son asesinados y reconocidos como criminales para justificar sus muertes. Este doble estándar en cómo se cuentan sus historias denigra a la gente de clase trabajadora y a las comunidades de color, mientras se causa empatía por la gente blanca con recursos como Rittenhouse.

“Las comunidades que son objeto de la violencia desde las instituciones del gobierno saben que un mayor despliegue policiaco no resolverá las causas de la pobreza y el racismo. Este es un problema sistémico que es mayor que este incidente. Nuestros vecinos han sufrido de una falta sistemática de inversión en sus comunidades, por lo que resulta necesario financiar las escuelas, vivienda, cuidados de salud y empleos en nuestras comunidades para luchar para prevenir más violencia y generar oportunidades para todos.

“Adam Toledo era un niño de 13 años que fue víctima de un sistema que no funciona. Una investigación transparente es esencial para que haya justicia, así como debemos hacer que rindan cuentas aquellos responsables de la muerte de este niño.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after Chicago police released body camera footage of police fatally shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“Everything about Adam’s death is horrifying. As a parent, I can’t imagine having to watch a video like this. This has to stop.”