State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement on Tuesday’s decision to convict Derek Chauvin on the three charges brought against him for the death of George Floyd:

“While nothing will ever make up for the torture George Floyd experienced in the final minutes of his life and the loss his family will live with forever, I’m relieved that our court system worked the way it should today.

“Time and again, we see Black and Brown people harmed by the criminal justice system. Real reform is past due, and I’m hoping the outcome of this trial will be a step forward in providing accountability and preventing more tragedies like this in the future.”

SPRINGFIELD- Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement following the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin: 

“Today, the jury got it right. It confirmed what the entire world watched in horror, George Floyd was murdered in broad daylight with complete disregard for his humanity by disgraced former officer Derek Chauvin.

While this is the verdict the evidence supported and we were hoping for, we should not be distracted from the fact that there is still more work to do to ensure our system of justice is fair and equitable for everyone.   

It is important to realize that it takes more than just convicting officers of police misconduct to achieve real equity and justice.

Police reform goes beyond only holding those accountable who misuse their power, it calls for us to reimagine public safety and improve the profession of policing.

We need systemic changes to our public safety systems and fundamental changes in how force is used, particularly against Blacks and other people of color.

While some are tempted to celebrate this moment, we must remember that the Floyd family lost their loved one because of the callous disregard of his life by someone who was supposed to protect and serve him.

Let us use this moment as fuel to fight for fundamental changes in our systems of public safety. I remain hopeful that today’s verdict will continue those authentic conversations that lead to policy changes resulting in equity and justice for everyone regardless of skin color, ethnicity, zip code or social class.

I believe we are headed in the right direction but the only way we will get to true equity and justice is if we go there together. 

Say his name…George Floyd!”

SPRINGFIELD — Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement regarding the Derek Chauvin verdict.

“George Floyd’s murder reignited the fight for justice across this country in the never-ending hope that someday justice might be found.

This verdict will not undo the tragedy and suffering.

But it should serve as a historic marker in our ongoing work to build a just and equal society.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on news of the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial:

“With today’s verdict, Derek Chauvin has been held accountable for the murder of George Floyd. At a basic minimum, this is what we need, and I am relieved to see the verdict. But we must ask ourselves now what justice will look like for George Floyd.

“Justice is broad and systemic, and this verdict tells us that the system must change from the ground up. George Floyd was executed on camera in a matter of minutes. His daughter will never see him again. Derek Chauvin has had many months and more of due process, all while communities across the country anxiously awaited this decision, not at all confident that Chauvin would face consequences even in light of the fact that his crime was caught on film.

“That this was in doubt, that we feel relieved that there will be consequences, speaks to how much the system needs changing. Chauvin is one officer whose misconduct will be punished. This must cease to be the exception, or more Black lives will be routinely taken from us.”

BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following statement in response to news that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all the counts he faced over the death of George Floyd:

“Over a year ago, George Floyd’s death spurred unrest across the nation. Today’s verdict offers some consolation that racism, bigotry and violence carry consequences.

“However, I am still not satisfied with this version of ‘justice’—no verdict could truly restore what has been lost. George Floyd’s daughter will still grow up without a father.

“In his memory, and in her honor, we will continue working toward true justice for all, building on the momentum of the activists that have laid the path for us, to create a better world for this generation and the next.”

CHICAGO – Nearly a year after the world saw George Floyd murdered on tape, a jury found ex-police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of his murder. State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement in reaction to his verdict:

“Last summer, the entire world was horrified by a murder that lasted eight minutes and 46 seconds. Though a trial was not necessary to prove what we all saw with our eyes, I am satisfied that this time, the criminal justice system worked.

“Though Derek Chauvin’s direct actions resulted in George Floyd’s murder, Chauvin is not the only one responsible for this tragedy. Chauvin and his actions are a part of a larger problem in this country, where racism has been embedded in our largest systems, policing included.

“Convicting Chauvin is just the beginning, and we must take more action to dismantle systemic racism, similar to the SAFE-T Act in Illinois, if we want to increase equity in the criminal justice system.

“I vow that as long as I am living, I will do all that I can to support and enact such measures. I hope that George Floyd’s family is able to find peace and comfort with this verdict.”

CHICAGO – A jury found ex-police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd, nearly a year after the world watched Floyd’s death on tape. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

 “While I’m pleased that the jury made the right decision, this verdict will not bring George Floyd back. As a country, we still have a long way to go to fully eradicate racism.

“I will continue to work with my colleagues to enact legislation that rectifies some of the horrors Black, Brown, and other marginalized communities have had to endure at the hands of police and other branches of government struggling with built-in racist policies and cultures.

“I hope that this verdict brings some sense of resolve to George Floyd’s family and that the dialogue on how to better race relations continues in this country.

“We have to be better, and we all have a part to play to ensure there are no more tragedies like the murder we witnessed last summer.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement after a Minnesota jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of the 2020 murder of George Floyd:

“Today, a jury decided that Derek Chauvin will be locked up and will face justice for murdering George Floyd, but we are still a long way from delivering George and his family the justice they truly deserve.

“True justice would be creating a society where police don’t murder unarmed Black people.