SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement after a Minnesota jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of the 2020 murder of George Floyd:

“Today, a jury decided that Derek Chauvin will be locked up and will face justice for murdering George Floyd, but we are still a long way from delivering George and his family the justice they truly deserve.

“True justice would be creating a society where police don’t murder unarmed Black people.

State Senator Jacqueline Collins and advocacy group leaders urged passage of her plan to require virtual visitation options at long-term care facilities in a virtual press conference Tuesday.

Collins (D-Chicago) said she’s sponsoring Senate Bill 2137 to fight the severe isolation that those in long-term care facilities have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collins was joined by AARP Illinois at the press conference, which was conducted via Zoom.

"We know that over the past year of this pandemic, nursing home residents have suffered beyond what is imaginable. Many have lost their friends or caregivers, and have had to live in fear for their own health and safety. Nursing homes in communities of color have been especially hard hit," Collins said. "Senate Bill 2137 offers much-needed relief to these residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that nursing homes are better equipped to protect their residents from social isolation in the long term."

VILLA PARK – To continue his commitment to advocate for people with developmental disabilities, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) met with members of the Ray Graham Association on Monday.

“I had a great time meeting with Christian from the Ray Graham Association today. I always enjoy getting the opportunity to meet with local Ray Graham participants. The work Ray Graham does and the services they provide are essential for the disability community in the 23^rd District and DuPage County,” Cullerton said. “I will continue to make this community a priority as we work to pass a budget and various pieces of legislation aimed at supporting organizations like the Ray Graham Association.”

The Ray Graham Association is non-profit organization that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout DuPage, Will, Cook, Grundy and Kane counties. The group helps people with disabilities find jobs and ensure themselves independence through interview training, resume writing, and learning to dress for success.

The Ray Graham Association, which was founded in 1950, now serves over 2,000 people with disabilities and employs nearly 350 people. It believes in a person-centered approach to care and community, and provides people with disabilities and their families an array of services that cater to their individual needs, strengths and dreams.

“After this unprecedented year, support for this community is more important than ever,” Cullerton said. “I hope to continue meeting with organizations like the Ray Graham Association to learn how I can best advocate for the funding and support they need.”

To support people with disabilities, Senator Cullerton is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 1787, which would expand and accelerate state support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

*Photo attached. Caption: Sen. Cullerton meets with Christian, a participant with the Ray Graham Association. Credit: Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) released the following statement in response to the release of body camera footage of the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, who was shot and killed by police in Chicago on March 29:

“My heart breaks for the family of Adam Toledo, and my condolences go out to all who knew and loved him.

“We have seen this tragedy play out over and over again in this country, and it never gets easier. This is a system that needs to be reformed through better training, higher standards and more accountability.

“We also need to build communities that give families like Adam’s more opportunities to succeed. Black and Brown communities are so often left behind when it comes to educational and economic opportunities.

“This is a heartbreaking and preventable situation. As we look toward reform, we need to make sure that Black and Brown communities have their voices heard to help prevent any more tragic situations like this one.”

Spanish translation available on Sen. Castro’s website here.

CHICAGO – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) issued the following statement following the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“There are no words to describe witnessing a child die by violence. My heart breaks for the family of Adam Toledo and the Little Village community.

“The compounded trauma, with a years-long pandemic and unending violence, paralyzes any parent with fear, looking at their own child and thinking, ’this could have been my child.’ Adam Toledo is our child, and our system has failed him.

“Police officers need more training on how to avoid the use of deadly force while protecting innocent members of the public. The Toledo family and our communities deserve a transparent and thorough investigation of all involved.

“The family requests calm and respectful gatherings during this time of mourning. We must look at this tragic event and enact change now.”

SPRINGFIELD – More Illinoisans could qualify for two state property tax relief programs under legislation from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to raise the maximum income limitations for the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral and the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption.

“As many households recover from the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic, it’s critical that we offer a hand however we can,” Murphy said. “These programs already provide relief to older residents across the state—it’s time to bump up the income thresholds and allow more people to benefit.”

FRANKFORT –  State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, oversaw a hearing Thursday on legislation that would put hundreds of thousands of union laborers to work building a 100 percent clean energy economy in Illinois.

“As chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, I have had the distinct privilege of visiting with the hard-working men and women who help power Illinois,” Hastings said. “Moreover, I am one of the few in Illinois and in the country who has visited every nuclear generating facility in our state. Those who work in this industry take pride in all they do, coming from all walks of life. Their passion, hard work, and profession should not, and will not, be overshadowed by the dark cloud cast by a greedy few.”

Senate Bill 1100, the Climate Union Jobs Act would create and save an estimated 280,000 jobs and provide over $150 million annually in rate relief to low-income families, in addition to:

• Preserving the state’s nuclear fleet and other renewable generation
• Establishing new accountability and transparency requirements for utility companies
• Creating a just transition for communities economically reliant on fossil fuel generation and establishes equity requirements for clean energy jobs
• Reducing the state’s emissions from buildings and transportation
• Setting union labor standards when Renewable Portfolio Standard, Carbon Mitigation and Solar for All credits are used.

“As a legislative body, in a collective and inclusive manner, we must address the immediate threats that face our state,” Hastings said. “Today, we continued to examine these threats, hearing from passionate advocates from both sides of the energy industry. I want to thank them for their hard work, dedication, and investment in Illinois’ clean energy future. I look forward to the culmination of all our hard work and the passage of a piece of legislation we can all be proud of.”

The Senate Energy and Public Utilities will continue to meet in the following weeks to chart the course for the future of Illinois’ clean energy infrastructure.

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.”