ELGIN – Following news of the Supreme Court overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a devastating loss for women and reproductive rights. When it comes to health care, everyone should have the right to make decisions on their own body.

“This decision will especially impact communities of color and low-income people who might not have the means to travel to access reproductive care or be able to afford to raise a child in these times of ever-rising prices.

CHICAGO – Following the news of the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“While we knew this day was coming, I don’t think anyone can be fully prepared for the devastating impact of this attack on women’s reproductive rights. I am appalled, but not shocked.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) is disheartened and emboldened by the news of the overturning of landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, effectively stripping reproductive rights from millions of women and pregnant people across the nation. She released the following statement:

“No amount of time could fully prepare us for the devastation of this decision from the highest court in our nation. No words can express the amount of suffering and grief this decision will cause. Abortion saves lives—and yet the court’s decision refuses to recognize the right to bodily autonomy we should all fundamentally have.

“Days like these shake the foundations of our nation to the core, and we must not shy away from saying so. If we are to keep our state and our country, we must hold fast amidst reactionary backlash to the decades of progress in reproductive rights. We must hold fast to the truth that women and pregnant people across this country have a right to their own body. They had that right yesterday and they have that right today. Illinois recognizes that. Other states may deny access to our rights, but we have enough wisdom to know they are inalienable. The Illinois Constitution that I swore an oath to support enshrines in its first Article that: “All men are by nature free and independent and have certain inherent and inalienable rights among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I will continue to defend that.

CHICAGO – In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“This attack on Roe v. Wade is appalling. While we’ve expanded protections for reproductive health care in our state, an infinite number of communities across the country will be negatively affected by this decision.

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, removing millions of women the right to choose:

“Today’s decision is heartbreaking and a direct attack on women. The decision a woman makes about her body and reproductive health care is her own choice. We fought for this basic fundamental right and now our country is taking that away for millions of women of all ages.

SPRINGFIELD – Sports fans will soon have additional options for special license plates thanks to legislation by State Senator Ram Villivalam that was signed into law on Thursday.

“Showing support for your favorite team will now include our women’s soccer and basketball teams,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These license plates will provide additional revenue for the state while showcasing the teams that drive our success.”

House Bill 4434 authorizes the Illinois Secretary of State to issue special license plates for the Chicago Sky, Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire. Other professional sports teams with special plates include the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals.

June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates the ending of American slavery. This year began the first year National Freedom Day was celebrated as an official state holiday, with state offices closed in observance.

This past weekend, members of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus celebrated the holiday around the districts they represent.

Majority Caucus Chair Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) was honored with the Social Equity and Justice Lifetime Achievement Award at Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer’s Juneteenth Racial Equity event on Friday. There, she spoke of the importance of Juneteenth, the establishment of National Freedom Day, and her work on legislation to recognize the day in Illinois.

Celebrating Juneteenth

SPRINGFIELD - June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

Over the course of nearly 300 years, millions of people were kidnapped from their home countries and forced to live and work under tremendously callous conditions.

Read more.

Rachelle Aud Crowe resigns from the Illinois Senate

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) was recently confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Leading up to her swearing in, she released the following statement after resigning from the Illinois Senate last week:

“Since joining the Senate in 2019, I’ve felt overwhelming support from my family, my colleagues in the General Assembly and the Metro East community — my heart is full of gratitude as I submit my resignation."

Read more.

New Jones law will require insurers to cover prostate cancer screenings

CHICAGO – A new law championed by State Senator Emil Jones III will mandate and require private insurers to allow men to get annual prostate cancer screenings free-of-charge.

“It’s important to be aware of your health risks — this law will make prostate cancer screenings more accessible for men across the state,” said Jones (D-Chicago). “Prostate cancer is life threatening — a simple test can help detect it early and save lives.”

Read more.

Joyce: We are getting things done for our first responders

SPRINGFIELD – A State Senator Patrick Joyce measure to give taxpayers more opportunities to provide support and resources to first responders was recently signed into law.

“First responders put their lives on the line for our community and we should have an easier option to give back,” said Joyce (D-Essex).

Read more.

Sound of the State: Celebrating Juneteenth

In this week's episode of the Sound of the State, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) discusses the importance of the Juneteenth holiday and what Illinois has done to commemorate the day.

Listen here.

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