Freedom Day for Slaves

SPRINGFIELD – Because Black history is American history, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) is pushing to create a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day on June 19.

“On June 19, 1865, the last slaves were freed, which created a milestone for Black Americans that should be celebrated and used to help educate youth today,” Lightford said. “Making Juneteenth a state holiday is a way of highlighting our freedom and reminding us how far we’ve come.”

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. In 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed, leading to the name Juneteenth.

SPRINGFIELD – A transformative plan by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to end health care disparities in Illinois was advanced out of the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

“I am happy to reintroduce the health care pillar this session, and ready for it to progress all the way,” Hunter said. “The pandemic has exacerbated the need for social equity in the health care sector, and the measures in this bill will dramatically alter the structure of our health care system for the better.”

Access to health care, hospital closures, managed care organization reform, community health worker certification, maternal and infant mortality, mental and substance abuse treatment, hospital reform, and medical implicit bias are all areas that would be remedied in the groundbreaking legislation, originally introduced during January’s session.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would provide additional funding to prevent child abuse in Illinois passed committee Wednesday.

“Children are the most vulnerable members of our society,” Belt said. “We must do everything in our power to protect them from abuse and neglect.” 

The measure would require the Department of Lottery to offer a special scratch-off game for child abuse prevention. Currently, Illinois has similar scratch-off games for veterans’ related issues, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, the Illinois Special Olympics and more.

“The Illinois lottery brings in millions of dollars each year in revenue,” Belt said. “We need to ensure that some of that money goes toward preventing child abuse in the state of Illinois.”

All of the revenue earned from the game would go to the Child Abuse Prevention Fund, which was created to provide grants to private social service organizations to help eliminate and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Senate Bill 2090 passed the Senate Executive Committee with a vote of 16-0 and will now head to the Senate floor for further consideration.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – As the state’s vaccination plan progresses, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is partnering with the DuPage County Health Department to host a virtual conversation to ensure residents are receiving accurate, up-to-date information about the rollout of the vaccine.

“As we work toward providing a vaccine to all eligible residents, communication between officials and the public is a top priority,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Hearing information straight from experts with the DuPage County Health Department will give residents facts they can rely on as we implement our region’s vaccination plan safely and efficiently.”

The meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, March 29 starting at 6 p.m.

DuPage County Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala and DuPage County Board member Julie Renehan will lead the discussion and answer pre-submitted questions from audience members.

Residents can register here to receive a link to join the meeting and submit questions. The meeting will also be streamed live on Glowiak Hilton’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/senatorsuzy.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman’s (D-Rockford) legislation to help the state invest in construction projects throughout Illinois passed committee Wednesday.

The legislation allows the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of the state’s investment portfolio into Illinois infrastructure development companies. This change in the law would allow up to $700 million in financing.

“Investing in construction is also investing in workers,” Stadelman said. “This opportunity will create good-paying jobs across Illinois.”

The legislation encourages more businesses to locate, expand, and remain in Illinois by investing in quality construction development firms with a significant presence within state borders.

“This measure creates new economic development opportunities for the state,” Stadelman said. “The construction industry is a key part of our state’s economy, so it makes sense to allow the treasurer to invest in infrastructure projects.”

Senate Bill 117 passed the Senate State Government Committee with a vote of 9-0 and now goes to the Senate floor for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To honor the legacies of indigenous people across the country, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is proposing that the month of November be declared Native American Heritage Month in Illinois.

“Ensuring that the month of November is dedicated to paying tribute to the contributions and influences of Native Americans is the least we can do for a people who laid the foundation for our country,” Bennett said. “I’m thrilled to see this legislation move forward so we can commemorate their culture and tradition.” 

 Bennett’s proposal would recognize the influences of Native Americans on American history, achievement, culture and innovation during the month of November.

SPRINGFIELD – After being elected co-chair of the bipartisan Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement:

“I am honored to have been elected as co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue our fight for full gender equality.

“Women still face systemic disparities in health care, employment, compensation and more. The pandemic has amplified those disparities, especially for working women of color.

WEST CHICAGO – More than 2,000 Illinoisans received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday at an event hosted by Wheaton Bible Church, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) and a variety of community partners. 

“Our West Chicago neighbors are some of those hardest hit by the devastating effects of this pandemic,” Villa said. “I have been working tirelessly alongside local organizations and community leaders to advocate for more vaccines for our community.”

The vaccination event was an effort by Wheaton Bible Church, Jewel-Osco, Senator Villa, State Representative Maura Hirschauer (D-West Chicago), Wayne Township, Puente Del Pueblo, People Made Visible, School District 33, School District 94, Casa Michoacan, People’s Resource Center, Pediatric Health Center, St. Andrew’s Church, and WeGo Together for Kids.

The event partners worked to register community members without internet access and older adults who would not usually be able to register for vaccination clinics.

“There’s no better feeling than seeing our COVID-19 vaccination rates increase while positivity rates decrease,” Villa said. “As vaccine eligibility expands in the coming weeks, we must check on our family, friends and neighbors to ensure nobody is hesitating to get in line for the vaccine when it’s their turn.”

Residents who received the vaccine Monday will be able to get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Jewel-Osco at the next community vaccination event on April 12.