Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus were saddened to learn of the passing of former colleague Larry Walsh, who died after several years with prostate cancer. He passed away Wednesday night at age 72.

Walsh served as an Illinois state senator representing the 43rd District from April 1997 until January 2005, when he then became Will County executive. He spent nearly 50 years in public service at the local, county and state levels.

“There is no justice until we erase the last red line.”

CHICAGO – Following a report by WBEZ showing a vast disparity in mortgage lending between predominantly white and predominantly black neighborhoods in Chicago, State Senator Jacqueline Collins called for action to induce more equitable lending practices.

“WBEZ’s report shows an overhead view of what many families in Chicago have seen from the ground: That banks are denying many mortgage loans to black Chicagoans who are prospective homeowners,” said Collins, D-Chicago. “As they reported, these disparities cannot be explained away by factors as simple as location or a home’s size. Even considering such differences, the report shows this inequality.”

CHICAGO – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement in response to the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police:

“In solidarity with the Black community, we hold grief in our hearts over the murder of George Floyd, and the many other lives lost to racist violence. Communities of color are under attack nationwide, as the president has consistently demonstrated contempt for immigrant and non-White families. We must acknowledge that systemic racism manifests itself in brutal and agonizing ways within our economic, health care and criminal justice systems. And whatever our race, we must stand together to condemn racism in all its forms, demand accountability from police militarization which has only heightened fear in communities they are supposed to serve, and fundamentally change this tragically broken system.

“As we continue to process grief and anger, the Latino Caucus stands strong with our colleagues in the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and with all people of color in the fight against racial injustice.”

BUNKER HILL – More than 70 critical access pharmacies, primarily in rural and underserved downstate communities, will benefit from $1.3 million in payments released on Saturday by Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza under a program championed by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).

The payments were released under the Critical Access Pharmacy program for pharmacies that have experienced serious financial difficulty because of lower rates offered under the state’s managed care program and also because of rate cuts by pharmacy benefit managers. To qualify for the CAP Program, pharmacies must be located in medically underserved areas, as determined by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.