CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on the Black history curriculum and student success programs in Illinois elementary and high schools.

Wednesday’s hearing was the fourth hearing dedicated to education and workforce development, the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“It’s clear that it shouldn’t be difficult for children to learn about famous figures in history,” Lightford said. “Children should also learn about Black history in a way that is relatable and empowering, while also not hiding its truth and past atrocities. The State Board of Education should mandate a curriculum that incorporates lessons about all marginalized populations into their history classes.”

SOUTH WILMINGTON – The Village of South Wilmington will receive $162,000 in funding to improve the community’s drinking water quality as part of this year’s state budget for capital infrastructure improvements, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Thursday.

“Maintaining a clean, reliable supply of drinking water is crucial for our rural communities,” said Joyce. “This funding comes at a critical time as we continue to mitigate the public health and financial impacts of COVID-19. This investment puts our community on track toward a modernized water infrastructure.”

CHICAGO – To discuss the structural challenges Black entrepreneurs face in commerce, Senate Financial Institutions Committee Chair Jacqueline Collins and Senate Executive Committee Chair Mattie Hunter will lead a joint Senate committee hearing today.

“Our goal in this ongoing series of hearings is to honestly and completely frame the problem of racial discrimination in Illinois as the basis for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ legislative agenda,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This must include a look at what challenges Black-owned enterprises face.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Collins issued the following statement today as members of the Senate Education and Senate Higher Education Committees convened to continue discussions on racial equity in education in Illinois, specifically focusing on the state’s curricula in regard to the Black experience in American history.

“For too long Black history has been a footnote to American history. It is time to close the knowledge gap for all students by integrating Black history into the American history curricula in elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools.

“When we teach our children, we should be teaching them in truth. The Black experience is part of the American experience, the human experience, and our nation’s rich and complicated history and should not be taught in a vacuum. It is my hope that these hearings are the beginning of an honest reckoning with the shortcomings of our history curriculum.”

DES PLAINES – In honor of National Women’s Small Business Month, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) invited women small business owners to join “All in for Women,” a series of webinars from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) about navigating the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“Our women business owners work hard to support our local economy and make our small business community diverse and unique,” said Murphy. “This month and every month, they deserve to be celebrated. These informative webinars can help provide the resources and assistance they need to thrive.”

At “All in for Women,” business owners will be able to connect with DCEO officials to learn more about the BIG program, eligibility requirements and the application process. Technical assistance support will also be provided for the last 30 minutes of every session.

The Business Interruption Grant program is a $636 million program created to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19.

In the second round of grants, $220 million will be allocated to provide relief for all types of small businesses, including women-owned small businesses. Funding can be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent, utilities and other operational costs.

The webinar will be offered in four sessions, and registration is required:

• Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.

Other resources, including webinars geared toward women in manufacturing, Latina business owners and more, are available on the DCEO Office of Minority Economic Empowerment website.

EAST ST. LOUIS – With deer mating season comes an increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions, and State Senators Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) remind Madison County motorists to stay alert while driving this fall. 

“It’s imperative for motorists to stay attentive this fall season, as deer are more active during autumn weather,” Belt said. “IDOT and the Department of Natural Resources provide helpful tips on how to prevent accidents involving deer, and I encourage Madison County residents to follow their advice.”

Madison County had 434 car crashes involving deer in 2019 – the second-highest of any Illinois county that year. In total, there were 16,213 deer-vehicle collisions throughout Illinois. Of these, 15,605 resulted in damage to property or vehicles, and 604 caused personal injuries. Four of the crashes were fatal. 

“As residents prepare for the upcoming hunting season, drivers must also pay special attention to the roadways for unexpected deer crossings,” Crowe said. “To make sure you’re ready to respond safely in the event of an encounter, I urge motorists to review and share IDNR’s precautions with their friends and family members.”

The Illinois Departments of Transportation and Natural Resources offer the following tips to help drivers avoid deer-related accidents this fall:

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with deer crossing signs.
• Scan the sides of the road for eye shine – the reflection of headlights in their eyes.
• Slow down if you see a deer. They travel in groups, so more are likely nearby.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road or double back.
• Deer are adaptable and can flourish in rural, suburban and urban environments.
• If a collision is inevitable, try to glance your vehicle off the deer and avoid swerving into opposite lanes of traffic.

If you hit a deer, pull off to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights and call 911 to report the accident. Do not exit the vehicle to check on an injured deer or pull it from the road.

For other information on wildlife and recreational safety education, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 

Black Caucus strives to close racial wealth gap in Illinois

CHICAGO - The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus laid out efforts to close the racial wealth gap that has long been perpetuated by systemic racism during a press conference at Teamwork Englewood ahead of a scheduled Senate committee hearing on the issue.

The Black Caucus discussed their plans to develop meaningful legislation to eliminate barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity.

ILBC Chairman Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) said the Black Caucus is committed to eliminating all forms of economic oppression in Illinois.

Read more.

Senate Unemployment Insurance Working Group urges swift action from Illinois congressional delegation

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the growing number of unemployment claims in the state of Illinois, the bipartisan Senate Unemployment Insurance Working Group, Chaired by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), urged Congress to provide funding necessary to stabilize states’ unemployment insurance trust funds and provide additional relief for unemployed workers in a letter to the Illinois congressional delegation Monday.

“These are unprecedented times, and none of us ever imagined more than one million people would lose their jobs from March to May,” Holmes said. “Our constituents’ worries about losing their homes are heartbreaking – providing for their families and educating their children, all while being threatened by a deadly pandemic. No amount of preparation could have been in place for this; we desperately need the assistance of our federal government.”

Read more.

State lawmakers discuss paths to sentencing reform and violence reduction

CHICAGO - Members of the Illinois House and Senate came together to discuss sentencing reform and violence reduction in a joint Senate hearing last Tuesday.

“We must confront the vast disparities in how individuals throughout the state are sentenced,” State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Criminal Law Committee, who co-chaired the joint committee alongside State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who heads the Senate Public Safety Special Committee. “We have to ensure that our justice system treats everyone fairly regardless of their race, religion and economic status. That often is not the case. These issues are important to achieve a more fair and equitable system.”

Read more.

Downstate Senate Democrats applaud $5 million in grants for livestock farmers, small meat and poultry plants

SPRINGFIELD - Downstate Senate Democrats are encouraging livestock producers and small meat and poultry plants suffering interruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for $5 million in business recovery funding through the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“Farmers have continued to put food on store shelves and on families’ tables during these tough times,” Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) said. “I’m confident these funds will help benefit producers, consumers and rural communities that have been impacted by COVID-19 disruptions.”

Read more.

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CHAMPAIGN – Senate Agriculture Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced $5 million in financial assistance will be available to livestock producers and small meat and poultry plants hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. 

“Farmers have continued to put food on store shelves and on families’ tables during these tough times,” Bennett said. “I’m confident these funds will help benefit producers, consumers and rural communities that have been impacted by COVID-19 disruptions.”

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically slowed livestock processing throughout the state, which forced farmers to hold animals for longer periods of time, resulting in higher input costs and cancelled, delayed or reduced sales.

Financial assistance is available through three programs administered by the Department of Agriculture. Individuals and businesses are only eligible to apply for one program, and applicants located in a disproportionately impacted area (DIA) will receive a 10% increase in funding. A list of DIA’s can be found here.

Online applications are available at agr.state.il.us. Applications will close on Oct. 31, 2020. Questions about this funding can be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..