SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) released the following statement in response to the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trail:

“We must acknowledge that since the inception of this nation, our justice system has and continues to fail millions of Black Americans each day. Collectively, we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. Although the system still doesn’t work for millions, this afternoon it worked for one. Today’s verdict is a testament to what we can accomplish when we stand together as the United States of America, when we make our voices heard and demand change, when we refuse to accept the status quo. While the promise of liberty and justice for all has yet to be fulfilled, today’s news represents the progress we have made toward a more just nation."

SPRINGFIELD – To prevent images and videos of children—including elementary and special education students—from falling into the wrong hands, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has sponsored legislation to remove the video recording requirement from the Illinois edTPA teacher licensing assessment.

“Recording devices can be stolen, accounts can be hacked, and images and videos can end up on the internet without authorization, putting our children at risk,” Murphy said. “Illinois is one of just a handful of states that require this unnecessary step for licensure—there are other ways to assess a student teacher’s performance that don’t threaten kids’ privacy.”

The legislation would establish student teachers cannot be required to videotape themselves or their students in order to earn a license.

Currently, student teachers in Illinois must record themselves and their students on video to pass the edTPA, an assessment required for their teaching license. The video is then uploaded and sent to a third party vendor for evaluation. The edTPA requires just two short segments of video, but student teachers are encouraged to record hours of footage to choose from.

The legislation would still allow teacher education programs to videotape for in-house teaching purposes, and licensed teachers and administrators could still film students in order to gain National Board Certification or for training, sporting events or promotional purposes.

“Images and videos are vulnerable to attack, especially those that are uploaded and sent to third parties,” Murphy said. “With cybersecurity threats on the rise, it’s critical that we take steps to protect our children’s privacy.”

Senate Bill 808 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday and now heads to the full Senate.

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.”