ISDC
  • Home
  • Senators
    • Alphabetical
    • Committees
    • Leadership
    • Find My Senator
  • Caucus News
    • ILBC Committee Roundup
    • Subscribe
    • Majority Report
  • Issues
    • Agriculture
    • Budget
    • Business
    • Criminal Law
    • Diabetes
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Ethics
    • Health
    • Higher Education
    • Law Enforcement
    • Seniors
    • Transportation
    • Veterans
  • Multimedia
    • Monthly Minute
    • Photo of the Day
    • Sound of the State
  • Resources
    • Bills / Resolutions
    • Fact Sheets
    • For Educators
    • I Like Illinois
    • Illinois Compiled Statutes
    • Illinois General Assembly
    • Internships
    • Media Guidelines
    • NCSL
    • Senate Schedule
  • About the Senate
  • Contact Us
    • How to contact a Senator
    • Employment
    • Submit Feedback
  • ILBC Pillars
    • Pillar 1
    • Pillar 2
    • Pillar 3
    • Pillar 4
  • COVID-19

Van Pelt says no justice was served for Breonna Taylor

Details
Category: Senator Patricia Van Pelt News
Thursday, September 24, 2020 08:28 AM
  • Van Pelt
  • Breonna Taylor

breonna4 092420CHICAGO – Wednesday, a grand jury indicted a former police officer involved in the March shooting of Breonna Taylor, but on charges of wanton endangerment. None of the three officers involved in the shooting were charged for Breonna’s death, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is infuriated.

“This is one of the grossest acts of injustice I have seen in my lifetime. This decision made by the grand jury suggests that the walls of Breonna’s neighbors mattered more than her life. Further, this decision is proof that the system is deeply flawed, and so broken that there is no accountability for the people who murdered Breonna Taylor in her own home.

“So again, our cry, ‘Black Lives Matter,’ has fallen upon deaf ears. Again, we have seen those who are supposed to protect and serve take life and evoke fear. But we will not stay silent. We will keep marching, we will keep demanding equality, and protesting peacefully.

“And I will not stop fighting until there is no longer a need for hashtags for those who have lost their lives unjustly. Breonna Taylor’s life mattered, and I pray for peace for her family and loved ones.”

Black Caucus outraged at lack of accountability for Breonna Taylor’s killers

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 05:09 PM
  • Belt
  • Legislative Black Caucus
  • Breonna Taylor
  • lightord

breonnataylor3 092320CHICAGO—Members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus spoke out Wednesday on news that a grand jury failed to indict three Louisville officers, Brett Hankison, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, for killing Breonna Taylor in her sleep in March. Ex-police officer Brett Hankison was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment, and the other officers face no charges.

State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, ILBC Chair

“The charges are devastatingly unbefitting of Breonna Taylor’s tragic death. The sheer lack of accountability for the officers who killed Breonna is yet another clear example of how the justice system does not protect Black lives,” Lightford said. “We share the frustration and anger of our fellow community members and the activists who are tired of the rampant injustice in our justice system.

Read more: Black Caucus outraged at lack of accountability for Breonna Taylor’s killers

Sims: Lack of charges for officers who killed Breonna Taylor “makes it clear that our justice system does not equally value Black life”

Details
Category: Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. News
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 04:05 PM
  • Sims
  • Breonna Taylor

breonnataylor2 092320CHICAGO— Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after news Wednesday that a grand jury charged ex-police officer Brett Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment and did not charge two Louisville police officers, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove who also fired weapons in the shooting that killed Breonna Taylor:

“Today’s decision was disappointing to say the least. The charges fall incredibly short of holding these bad actors accountable and just add to the devastation felt by Breonna Taylor’s family and our communities.

“The fact that none of the officers was charged directly for Breonna’s death makes it clear that our justice system does not equally value Black life, and that has to change.

“We must not allow our anger and frustration to deter us from seeking justice and equity. It is vital that we remain peaceful to effect change and honor Breonna’s memory. I will continue to work with my colleagues and community leaders until our justice system provides justice to all people.”

Manar announces $2 million in grants to local schools to help expand access to remote learning technology

Details
Category: Senator Andy Manar News
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 03:52 PM
  • Manar
  • Technology
  • CARES Act
  • Digital Divide

remote school 092320BUNKER HILL – Local schools are set to receive nearly $2 million in grants to improve students’ access to remote learning technology, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced Wednesday.

“Many school districts have employed a remote or hybrid learning model to protect staff and students during the pandemic,” Manar said. “These funds can help provide every child with the resources they need to stay engaged in their education during this difficult time.”

Digital Equity Formula Grants, funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, are intended to help schools bridge the digital divide and offer students more reliable access to the technology they need to participate in e-learning. School districts can use the funds to expand connectivity and provide students with devices like computers or tablets.

More than $80 million was awarded to 471 districts across the state, including 16 school districts in the 48th State Senate District:

  • Taylorville CUSD 3 - $159,778
  • Pana CUSD 8 - $98,372
  • South Fork SD 14 - $45,472
  • Hillsboro CUSD 3 - $116,404
  • Litchfield CUSD 12 - $102,887
  • Nokomis CUSD 22 - $61,450
  • Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education #39 - $66,840
  • Decatur SD 61 - $496,087
  • Regional Office of Education #40 - $32,269
  • Carlinville CUSD 1 - $106,182
  • Mount Olive CUSD 5 - $53,839
  • Staunton CUSD 6 - $98,300
  • Gillespie CUSD 7 - $96,810
  • Bunker Hill CUSD 8 - $61,134
  • Southwestern CUSD 9 - $104,973
  • North Mac CUSD 34 - $97,941

 

Funding was distributed using a need-based formula. The full list of schools receiving funds is available on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Peters comments on lack of meaningful charges in "exhausting," "upsetting" Breonna Taylor case

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 03:18 PM
  • Peters
  • Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement Wednesday after a Jefferson County Grand Jury failed to indict any of the police officers on charges of murder for the March killing of Breonna Taylor: 

“Breonna Taylor should be alive right now. We keep seeing the same stories over and over again. It is exhausting and upsetting. 2020 has shown just how flawed our institutions are within a system stacked against us. Do not let anyone shut down the fight for a better world.”

Lightford: Breonna Taylor deserved to live

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 01:19 PM
  • Lightford
  • Breonna Taylor

breonnataylor 092320CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) issued the following statement in reaction to Detective Brett Hankinson being charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree in the murder of Breonna Taylor in her Louisville apartment on March 13. No charges were brought against Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, the other two officers involved in the shooting.

“It is impossible to express the weight of the injustices and cruelty carried out against the Black community throughout the history of our country. When an officer can justify the murder of Breonna Taylor as legal, moral and ethical, then walk away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist, there can be no doubt that Black women do not matter in our country today.

Read more: Lightford: Breonna Taylor deserved to live

Senate committee hearing to focus on Black Caucus’ education agenda

Details
Category: Senator Pat McGuire News
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 12:29 PM
  • Lightford
  • Education
  • Legislative Black Caucus
  • McGuire

black college student 092320JOLIET – To continue efforts to address structural racial inequality in Illinois, the Senate will hold a joint Education and Higher Education Committee tomorrow.

“As chair of the Higher Education Committee, I've learned that the foundation for successful post-secondary education is built early in one's life,” said Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill). “Tomorrow's hearing will explore how to provide that foundation for every Illinois child.”

The committee serves as another step in building the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Education is one of four major policy areas the ILBC is targeting this year, along with criminal justice, health care, and economic access.

Read more: Senate committee hearing to focus on Black Caucus’ education agenda

Manar joins governor to celebrate state surpassing 5 Million COVID-19 tests

Details
Category: Senator Andy Manar News
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 09:56 AM
  • Manar
  • Video
  • Public Health
  • COVID-19 Testing

Sen. Andy Manar

State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) joined the governor and the state public health director to commemorate the state exceeding 5 million COVID-19 tests since the beginning of the pandemic.

“I was with the governor and Dr. Ezike when he signed legislation that the General Assembly had adopted to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs. That was the day of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Illinois,” Manar said. “The state has gone from zero to now 50,000 tests. To be able to cross the thresholds that we have crossed as a state despite the challenges is because of the leadership of the governor, Dr. Ezike at the Illinois Department of Public Health, and everybody working together including the National Guard, the 97 local public health departments and our private health care partners throughout the state.”

Read more: Manar joins governor to celebrate state surpassing 5 Million COVID-19 tests

More Articles …

  1. Bennett: Local schools will receive nearly $1.5 million to bridge digital divide
  2. Castro to host mobile COVID testing site this weekend
  3. Joyce: Local schools to receive nearly $2 million to bridge digital divide
  4. Koehler: Local schools to get nearly $2 million for digital upgrades
  • 596
  • 597
  • 598
  • 599
  • 600
  • 601
  • 602
  • 603
  • 604
  • 605

Page 601 of 743

Follow ILSenDems

Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Sign up for the Majority Report

Laws Going Into Effect 2025

Employment Opportunities

Find Your Senator

Senate Schedule

Bills & Resolutions

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE

phone(217) 782-2728

phone309 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Senate Floor, Illinois State Capitol, Springfield, IL

Senate President Don Harmon © 2025 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube
CHICAGO OFFICE

phone(312) 814-2075

phone160 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 720
Chicago, IL 60601