CHICAGO — As Illinois works to build an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a slate of reforms spearheaded by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) to expand economic access, equity and opportunity.

“These measures are a major step forward not only for the residents of underserved and disadvantaged communities, but the state as a whole,” ILBC Joint Caucus Chairperson state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, said. “This package will help give a pathway to opportunity for Illinoisans who have had obstacles in their path due to systemic problems facing communities including disinvestment and racism.”

“Our nation’s systems were designed to keep Black people from owning businesses, buying homes and fostering economically prosperous communities. To achieve real equity in Illinois, we must dismantle these systems and rebuild them in a way that gives African Americans the chance to succeed,” Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, D-Maywood, said. “This package of legislation is a critical step toward leveling the playing field and empowering Black Illinoisans to rise to their full potential as entrepreneurs, homeowners, company executives and more.”

“Just as it is with redlining, with bias in insurance rates, and with the ongoing disparity in home lending, this is not just about financial ethics. It’s about racial justice,” state Senator Jacqueline Collins, D-Chicago, said. “There is a growing understanding among Illinoisans that these financial systems target people of color and entrench racial poverty. When we have honest, hard conversations, we can topple barriers.”

“It’s a victory for all of Illinois when we can come together to increase opportunities for the people of our state, especially those that have historically been left behind and faced discrimination, “state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford said. “Helping ensure that all Illinoisans and Illinois businesses have a path to prosperity is critical to securing the future of our state and the success of our families.”

“Encouraging the success of minority workers and businesses starts with pushing for equality in the workforce and in government contracting,” state Sen. Christopher Belt, D- Centreville, said. “A diverse business community makes our economy richer and stronger. When we break down barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity, it isn’t just minorities that get a boost—the whole state benefits.”

“These measures take major strides towards creating the equity we need for state contractors and Black-owned and minority businesses. These businesses are fully capable of doing the job yet for too long they’ve been denied the opportunity,” state Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, said. “Looking forward, I will continue to work together with my colleagues to ensure that state government utilizes the service of Black businesses and other local businesses in state contracts.”

“For too long African American entrepreneurs and prospective small business owners have been denied access to the capital necessary to create jobs and provide services and products to local communities,” state Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin, D-Olympia Fields, said. “The disparity studies conducted under this legislation will help provide guidance to the legislature as we continue our work to remedy historic discrimination against African Americans and ensure economic opportunity for all people in Illinois.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the work of the Black Caucus in shepherding these critical measures into law to help lift up Illinoisans who have been left behind for generations,” ILBC House Chairperson state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said. “The push for equitable solutions to the economic problems faced by African Americans and disadvantaged Illinois begins here, but it does not stop here. As the work to create a better future for Illinois families continues, ensuring that the promise of economic access, equity and opportunity is met for all families will be a top priority for the Black Caucus.”

Measures enacted into law today by Pritzker include:

Senate Bill 1480, which lowers barriers for reentry into the workforce for people with criminal records by requiring employers to make individual assessments of job candidates, institutes state-based data collection of race and gender information for companies required to file such reports with the federal government and requires companies to certify compliance with equal pay laws.

Senate Bill 1608, which works to increase investments in underserved communities by ensuring that financial institutions chartered in Illinois engage in fair banking and lending practices. It also allows the state to invest funds in community banks and local financial institutions, includes a series of programs to provide grant funding for small business technology firms and leverage federal small business grants, and increases state investments in local businesses owned by minorities, women and people with disabilities.

Senate Bill 1792, which addresses predatory lending by capping the annual interest rate for payday loans at 36%. This measure also creates the Cannabis Equity Commission to ensure equity goals are being met in the Illinois cannabis industry and requires the state to conduct racial and economic disparity studies on the beauty supply industry and farm ownership and operations within Illinois.

Senate Bill 1980, which requires independent review of the criminal record of applicants to public housing agencies and sets criteria for denying a housing application based on a criminal record.

SPRINGFIELD – When a person with a mental health condition calls 911, they don’t always need the hospital – but are typically taken to an emergency room rather than the mental health facility they require. State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is leading a measure that would change that by allowing EMS workers to take patients where they’ll most benefit.

“Imagine going through a mental health crisis, then being taken to an emergency room, rather than a place that can actually help you,” Bush said. “That’s going to cause anger and frustration – let alone waste time that could be used to begin treatment.”

Currently, EMS providers can only take a patient to an emergency room, where a medical professional can then determine if they would be better suited for a mental health facility. To bypass the extra – often unnecessary and costly – step, Senate Bill 693 allows direct transport to proper assistance. 

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would keep courts from using information shared during restorative justice practices.

Restorative justice practices are measures to prevent trauma and repair harm by bringing together adverse parties and community stakeholders. Use of restorative justice practices are becoming more common in schools, communities, and courts.

“Restorative justice practices are an important alternative means of addressing and dealing with crime, and any information they share can’t be used against them in court,” Peters said. “Restorative justice can’t work, when people are constantly on guard against incriminating themselves or creating civil liability.”

Senate Bill 64 provides that anything said or done during, in preparation for, or as a follow-up to a restorative justice practice, or the fact that the practice has been planned or has occurred, is privileged, and cannot be referred to, used, or admitted in any civil, criminal, juvenile or administrative proceeding unless the privilege is waived. The privilege does not apply if disclosure is necessary to prevent injury, death, or the commission of a crime, or to comply with another law.

“People should not have to second-guess their decisions to make use of an important tool for restoring justice out of fear of affecting the outcome of an open case,” Peters said.

The Senate Judiciary approved Peters’ measure, and it will now be sent to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure the state is doing its part to keep roadways safe for pedestrians, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) backed legislation to require the Illinois Department of Transportation to look more closely into traffic accidents on state highways that result in the death of a pedestrian.

“Illinoisans deserve to be able to walk to school or work, go for a run, or simply take a stroll around their neighborhood safely,” Murphy said. “If we can identify problem areas on our state highways, we can implement solutions that will save lives.”

SPRINGFIELD – Last month, three Illinois officers were struck by cars within 24 hours after drivers chose to ignore the “Move Over” law. To help combat the rising number of officer injuries and deaths by vehicle, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is leading the charge to enhance Scott’s Law penalties.

“This law is common sense, yet every day dozens of people are breaking it and putting the lives of officers at risk,” Morrison said. “This has to change. Writing a check for a fine doesn’t seem to be enough for some people, so we’re going to do all we can to make sure the purpose of this law is heard loud and clear – and that’s by requiring people to give up their free time to do community service work.”

Scott’s Law – or the “Move Over” law – requires drivers to slow down their cars, change lanes if possible and proceed with caution when they are approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on. During a 19-day span last month, the Illinois State Police issues 1,340 tickets to people not following Scott’s Law.

Under current statute, a person who violates Scott’s Law will be fined between $250 to $10,000 for their first offense, and between $750 and $10,000 for their second. The amount is determined by a judge.

If Senate Bill 1913 passes and is signed into law, a judge may also issue the violator a term of community service work on top of the fine.

“Far too many officers have been recklessly injured or killed, simply by doing their jobs,” Morrison said. “We must ensure no other family has to endure the pain of a call that says their loved one was hit while protecting their community.”

The Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois Fire Chiefs and secretary of state, among others, support the measure. It passed the Senate Criminal Committee Tuesday and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To ease feelings of stress, anxiety and burnout on college campuses in Illinois, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has sponsored a new initiative to create an online resource hub geared toward campus mental health.

“As the parent of a college freshman, I know higher education presents a number of unique stressors,” Murphy said. “It’s important that those experiencing mental health conditions have easy access to targeted support.”

The legislation would require the Department of Human Services to maintain a resources page on its website with mental health resources specifically tailored to post-secondary education institutions, their staff, students and families.

Currently, DHS provides digital brochures and links on its website of helpful tools for those who may be dealing with a mental health concern. However, the website does not contain provisions directly targeted to post-secondary education and its communities.

“We know college students suffer high levels of stress and anxiety, but many people aren’t aware that faculty and staff experience similar pressures,” Murphy said. “With the pandemic taking an additional toll on everyone’s mental health, now is the time to make sure our campus communities know help is available.”

Senate Bill 1786 passed the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and now heads to the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon a law he sponsored in the previous General Assembly, State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) new measure would extend required civics education to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Just because a person is incarcerated does not mean they lose the rights that past generations have fought and died to guarantee them,” Peters said. “Folks who are set to be released should learn what their rights are and how to use them once they’re out.”

In 2019, Peters sponsored the Re-Entering Civics Education Act, which required the Department of Corrections to offer civics education to incarcerated people who were due to re-enter society upon the completion of their prison sentences within the next year. Senate Bill 2116 extends that provision to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The curriculum of the program would be centered around voting rights, government institutions, current affairs, and simulations of the electoral and voting process and will be administered over the course of three 90-minute sessions.

“Many of the kids who are set to be released from DJJ custody will be old enough to vote for the first time, and they deserve to know exactly what their rights are and how they can vote if they choose to do so,” Peters said.

Having passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee unanimously, the measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To address an issue allowing pets in rental properties, Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has moved a measure through the Judiciary Committee that will allow tenants to maintain at least two common household pets, regardless of breed, size or weight, within the tenant's residence.

 “Eighty-one million American households now share their homes with 173 million dogs and cats,” Holmes said. “Regardless of their income, people love their pets and view them as members of the family. Affordable housing should be accessible for all types of people, and that includes people with pets.”