The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus wrapped up more than two months of committee hearings in an effort to provide legislators with a look at lingering problems that Black Illinoisans face and identifying a path forward to eliminating systemic racism.

The hearings began after the caucus outlined its four-pillar legislative agenda in early September to identify measures that will put Illinois on a course for racial and economic equity. Those pillars are:

I. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
II. Education and workforce development
III. Economic access, equity and opportunity
IV. Health care and human services

This week began with a hearing of the Senate Public Health and Human Services committees focused on health care disparities and recommendations on how to improve the system for minorities.

CHICAGO – During Thursday’s joint Senate hearing on age, equity, workers’ rights and consumer protection, Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) advocated for increased protection among minority workers and consumers.

The U.S. Department of Labor in October released a wage report for the third quarter of this year, revealing that Black workers on average earn 72% of what white men earn. Broken down by gender, Black men earn 77.5% of what white men earn, while Black women make only 68.5%. In Chicago specifically, wage gaps grew significantly over the last several decades, causing what UIC researchers call “a growing exodus” of Black Chicagoans.

SPRINGFIELD– The City of Springfield was named a recipient of a $3.5 million grant to improve its mass transit system, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced Friday.

Manar, who chairs the Senate Appropriations II Committee and serves as a lead budget negotiator for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, worked to prioritize mass transit systems in the landmark, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan.

MARYVILLE – To provide safe, reliable public transportation to residents across the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced a $15.2 million state grant for Madison County Transit (MCT) to construct a new administrative building and make other helpful upgrades for riders.

“Many residents depend on public transportation for access to health care, work and school, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other necessary travel,” Crowe said. “By investing in upgrades for MCT, we are making sure our transportation services keep up with the needs of the Metro East community.”

PEORIA – The Greater Peoria Mass Transit District was named a recipient of a $16.7 million grant to improve Peoria’s mass transit system, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced Friday.

“It’s an unfortunate truth that public transportation systems can easily fall into disrepair, which creates issues for people without reliable access to a vehicle,” Koehler said. “Whether it’s for commuting to work, making a trip to the grocery store, or picking up your child from school, people have to have reliable public transportation systems. This is an important investment to make in Peoria.”

Grant funds will be used for new or renovated buses, transit stations and maintenance facilities. This is the first of three grant cycles for mass transit projects through the Rebuild Illinois plan, with the next two set to occur in 2021 and 2023.

A complete list of local providers and awards can be viewed at https://idot.click/rbi-capital-plan-transit-grants.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is excited to announce construction will begin soon on much-needed improvements to the intersection of Illinois Route 59 and Champion Road in Will County.

Bertino-Tarrant secured more than $900,000 in funding to install a traffic signal at the intersection after residents started several petitions and reached out to her office for assistance. The signal will aid drivers while crossing lanes and making a left turn onto northbound Route 59 from their subdivisions during rush hour. 

“This intersection has been a safety hazard for years, and we must take steps to make these construction improvements sooner than later,” said Bertino-Tarrant. “This stoplight will go a long way toward increasing road safety and reducing the number of accidents at the busy crossroad during rush hour traffic.”

Work will also be done to reconstruct the median, install ADA-compliant sidewalks and make drainage improvements at the intersection.

Residents of Naperville’s South Pointe subdivision claimed that given the size, traffic volume and speed at which cars travel through this intersection, a traffic signal was warranted at this location. Their input and Bertino-Tarrant’s advocacy led the Illinois Department of Transportation to speed up the timeline for the traffic signal to be installed and road improvements to be made.

Bertino-Tarrant secured funding for this vital traffic improvement under the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program.

“The construction of this new traffic signal illustrates that government works best when elected officials are in constant communication with constituents,” Bertino-Tarrant said.

PARK FOREST – The Illinois State Board of Education has launched a new text program to help parents prepare young learners for school, and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging parents to enroll.

“There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused parents pandemic stress, as they are balancing working from home and homeschooling their children,” Joyce said. “To help working parents cope, this program will encourage learning and ensure well-being for children during this crisis and beyond.” 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy released the following statement regarding the postponement of the upcoming General Assembly veto session:

“I’m disheartened to learn we will not be able to move forward on the legislation we’ve been working on, but especially given recent surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state, postponing veto session is the most responsible choice.

“With many regions experiencing peaks even higher than we saw in the spring, convening the General Assembly could contribute to the spread of the virus both in Springfield and in legislators’ home communities.

“Although we won’t be in the Capitol, the work doesn’t stop. I plan to continue negotiating with my fellow lawmakers to find ways to support working families, improve higher education, and keep Illinoisans in Illinois.

“When we return to Springfield, I look forward to hitting the ground running.”