CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is outraged after viewing the footage of police shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo, and released the following statement:

“My heart goes out to the family of Adam Toledo. The video confirms something Black and Brown Americans have known for centuries: The police force was never created to protect us.

“People who have vowed to protect and serve cannot keep lying to the public and expect trust and civility in return – especially when Black and Brown families keep losing their loved ones to police bullets. The marginalized cannot keep witnessing the death of their kin and believe their lives matter in this unjust world.

“This cycle of police violence cannot continue, and I will continue to advocate for more justice and accountability from such oppressive systems, starting with the Chicago Police Department.”

The Joint Illinois Legislative Latino and Black Caucuses released the following statement following the graphic video release of Chicago Police Department shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo in the chest. Toledo was shot and killed by CPD on March 29, in an alley on the city’s west side. Members released the following:

“We want to send our love to Adam Toledo’s family, friends, and his community. The killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo should’ve never happened. This is an example of our society’s failure, a byproduct of the systemic disadvantages that impact communities of color.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to newly released body camera footage of the police-involved shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“As a resident of Little Village, my heart was broken by the loss of yet another young life. I extend my deepest condolences to Adam Toledo’s family during their time of unimaginable loss and to the community that mourns with them.

“While confirmed killers like Kyle Rittenhouse are calmly taken into custody by law enforcement, Black and Brown children are not afforded that treatment. Instead, many are killed and branded as thugs to excuse their murders. This double standard in narratives vilifies working-class people and people of color while eliciting sympathy for affluent white people like Rittenhouse.

“Communities subjected to state violence know that heavier policing will not address the underlying causes of poverty and racism. This is a systemic issue that is larger than this one incident. Our neighborhoods have been systematically disinvested in, which is why funding for schools, housing, health care and jobs in our communities are necessary in the fight to prevent further violence and create opportunity for all. 

“Adam Toledo was a 13-year-old child who was victim of a broken system. A transparent investigation is essential for justice, and we must hold those accountable for this child’s death.”

Villanueva demanda rendición de cuentas por el tiroteo en el que murió el joven de 13 años, Adam Toledo

CHICAGO – La Senadora estatal Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) dio a conocer la siguiente declaración como respuesta al video de cámara corporal dado a conocer del tiroteo en contra del joven de 13 años, Adam Toledo, en el que está involucrada la Policía.

“Como residente de La Villita, tengo el corazón roto por otra vida más que se pierde de un joven. Envío mis más sentidas condolencias a la familia de Adam Toledo ante esta inimaginable de pérdida, un luto que es compartido por la comunidad.

“Mientras que asesinos confirmados como Kyle Rittenhouse son puestos en custodia con toda tranquilidad por parte de los oficiales del orden, los niños de las comunidades afroamericana y latina no reciben ese trato. En su lugar, muchos de ellos son asesinados y reconocidos como criminales para justificar sus muertes. Este doble estándar en cómo se cuentan sus historias denigra a la gente de clase trabajadora y a las comunidades de color, mientras se causa empatía por la gente blanca con recursos como Rittenhouse.

“Las comunidades que son objeto de la violencia desde las instituciones del gobierno saben que un mayor despliegue policiaco no resolverá las causas de la pobreza y el racismo. Este es un problema sistémico que es mayor que este incidente. Nuestros vecinos han sufrido de una falta sistemática de inversión en sus comunidades, por lo que resulta necesario financiar las escuelas, vivienda, cuidados de salud y empleos en nuestras comunidades para luchar para prevenir más violencia y generar oportunidades para todos.

“Adam Toledo era un niño de 13 años que fue víctima de un sistema que no funciona. Una investigación transparente es esencial para que haya justicia, así como debemos hacer que rindan cuentas aquellos responsables de la muerte de este niño.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after Chicago police released body camera footage of police fatally shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“Everything about Adam’s death is horrifying. As a parent, I can’t imagine having to watch a video like this. This has to stop.”

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced on Thursday afternoon that a $10 million grant from the Illinois Capital Development Board would be dedicated to launching Distillery Labs, the Peoria hub of the Illinois Innovation Network.

“This grant is very exciting news for the Peoria area and all of Central Illinois,” Koehler said. “This hub is certain to become a social and economic boon to our community, and I know that the Innovation Network will benefit as well from this partnership with Peoria.”

This funding comes as a part of a second wave of grants through Governor JB Pritzker’s bipartisan capital plan. The grant will facilitate the purchase and renovation of the Thomas Building in downtown Peoria, where labs, classrooms and offices will be established with a goal of improving the wellness of underserved populations and advancing systems related to food, farming and transportation.

“Illinois is a pillar in the United States’ research community, and the Peoria area is proud to play a part in upholding that reputation,” Koehler said. “I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker and CDB for this investment in our community, and I know that that this local hub of the Innovation Network will benefit families in the Peoria area for years to come.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) introduced a measure to protect children from toxic chemical exposure on coal-tar treated playgrounds and paved areas. 

“Parents should not have to worry about their children being exposed to toxic chemicals during recess,” Senator Fine said. “There are plenty of safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives which should be utilized.”

The Coal Tar Sealant Act would require public schools, public school districts, daycares and state agencies to disclose the use of coal tar-based sealant on playgrounds, parking lots and other paved areas. This legislation would also require groups planning to use coal tar-based sealant for a pavement project to look into cleaner alternatives.

Coal tar and some other sealants used in pavement projects contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), which can contaminate the environment as the sealants wear away over time. There are many environmentally friendly alternatives to coal tar-based sealants with little to no PAH that are available at a similar cost.

PAH compounds have been proven to cause cancer, birth defects and other health complications. Lifelong exposure to coal tar-treated pavements and playgrounds can increase an individual's cancer risk by 38 times.

“I’m proud to represent a district that already bans these toxic sealants in multiple cities, but it’s time for the rest of our state to follow suit to protect our families,” Senator Fine said. “We all deserve to live in a state with a healthy environment.”

Seven cities in Illinois have already banned coal-tar sealants, including three cities in the district Senator Fine represents. 

Senate Bill 692 passed the Environment and Conservation Committee and now goes to the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Citing local safety concerns from the Wood River community following an unexpected power plant demolition, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) has advanced an initiative requiring property owners to notify communities of demolition plans across the state. 

“It’s concerning to hear blasts within your community without a warning,” Crowe said. “To prevent residents from being caught off guard and aware of potential health concerns, this measure seeks to require plans for power plant demolitions to be made public.”

Earlier this year, residents of the Metro East community were alarmed when explosions were heard from the decommissioned Wood River Power Station without warning.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would reduce PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam passed committee on Thursday.

“Evidence shows that exposure to PFAS found in firefighting foam can lead to numerous health issues, including cancer and kidney problems,” Ellman said. “We need to act now if we want to reduce the risk to the public, including our firefighters.”

Per - and polyfluoradlkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, are a large group of toxic chemicals that have the ability to repel oil and water, reduce friction, and put out fires. For these reasons, they are especially prevalent in firefighting foam.