CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) is disheartened and emboldened by the news of the overturning of landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, effectively stripping reproductive rights from millions of women and pregnant people across the nation. She released the following statement:

“No amount of time could fully prepare us for the devastation of this decision from the highest court in our nation. No words can express the amount of suffering and grief this decision will cause. Abortion saves lives—and yet the court’s decision refuses to recognize the right to bodily autonomy we should all fundamentally have.

“Days like these shake the foundations of our nation to the core, and we must not shy away from saying so. If we are to keep our state and our country, we must hold fast amidst reactionary backlash to the decades of progress in reproductive rights. We must hold fast to the truth that women and pregnant people across this country have a right to their own body. They had that right yesterday and they have that right today. Illinois recognizes that. Other states may deny access to our rights, but we have enough wisdom to know they are inalienable. The Illinois Constitution that I swore an oath to support enshrines in its first Article that: “All men are by nature free and independent and have certain inherent and inalienable rights among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I will continue to defend that.

CHICAGO – In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“This attack on Roe v. Wade is appalling. While we’ve expanded protections for reproductive health care in our state, an infinite number of communities across the country will be negatively affected by this decision.

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, removing millions of women the right to choose:

“Today’s decision is heartbreaking and a direct attack on women. The decision a woman makes about her body and reproductive health care is her own choice. We fought for this basic fundamental right and now our country is taking that away for millions of women of all ages.

SPRINGFIELD – Sports fans will soon have additional options for special license plates thanks to legislation by State Senator Ram Villivalam that was signed into law on Thursday.

“Showing support for your favorite team will now include our women’s soccer and basketball teams,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These license plates will provide additional revenue for the state while showcasing the teams that drive our success.”

House Bill 4434 authorizes the Illinois Secretary of State to issue special license plates for the Chicago Sky, Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire. Other professional sports teams with special plates include the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals.

June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates the ending of American slavery. This year began the first year National Freedom Day was celebrated as an official state holiday, with state offices closed in observance.

This past weekend, members of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus celebrated the holiday around the districts they represent.

Majority Caucus Chair Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) was honored with the Social Equity and Justice Lifetime Achievement Award at Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer’s Juneteenth Racial Equity event on Friday. There, she spoke of the importance of Juneteenth, the establishment of National Freedom Day, and her work on legislation to recognize the day in Illinois.

Celebrating Juneteenth

SPRINGFIELD - June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

Over the course of nearly 300 years, millions of people were kidnapped from their home countries and forced to live and work under tremendously callous conditions.

Read more.

Rachelle Aud Crowe resigns from the Illinois Senate

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) was recently confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Leading up to her swearing in, she released the following statement after resigning from the Illinois Senate last week:

“Since joining the Senate in 2019, I’ve felt overwhelming support from my family, my colleagues in the General Assembly and the Metro East community — my heart is full of gratitude as I submit my resignation."

Read more.

New Jones law will require insurers to cover prostate cancer screenings

CHICAGO – A new law championed by State Senator Emil Jones III will mandate and require private insurers to allow men to get annual prostate cancer screenings free-of-charge.

“It’s important to be aware of your health risks — this law will make prostate cancer screenings more accessible for men across the state,” said Jones (D-Chicago). “Prostate cancer is life threatening — a simple test can help detect it early and save lives.”

Read more.

Joyce: We are getting things done for our first responders

SPRINGFIELD – A State Senator Patrick Joyce measure to give taxpayers more opportunities to provide support and resources to first responders was recently signed into law.

“First responders put their lives on the line for our community and we should have an easier option to give back,” said Joyce (D-Essex).

Read more.

Sound of the State: Celebrating Juneteenth

In this week's episode of the Sound of the State, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) discusses the importance of the Juneteenth holiday and what Illinois has done to commemorate the day.

Listen here.

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Senators Cristina Pacione-Zayas and Mattie Hunter, Chicago: Governor Pritzker announces nation-leading investment in early childhood | STL News

Senator Mike Simmons, Chicago: Governor signs bills expanding access to HIV and AIDS-related care and prevention | Windy City News

Senator Doris Turner, Springfield: Law aims to tackle rural health care shortage | The State Journal-Register

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CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the June 12 closure of the Auburn-Gresham Aldi:

“The unannounced closure of the Auburn-Gresham Aldi is a devastating blow to our community, who already faces food insecurity. With Englewood's Whole Foods scheduled to close in the coming months, our area stands at risk of becoming a food desert.

"We must work to provide market incentives to keep grocery stores open in underserved areas so that all our neighbors can provide healthy meals for their families. Access to food is a basic right and I am committed to working with retailers and my colleagues in the General Assembly to ensure that our grocers and produce markets remain open.”

June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

Over the course of nearly 300 years, millions of people were kidnapped from their home countries and forced to live and work under tremendously callous conditions.

During that time, many fought for the abolition of slavery. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which aimed to free the enslaved people in Confederate states.

On January 31, 1865, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to finally free enslaved people with a vote of 119-56, receiving the required two-thirds majority. The next day, President Lincoln approved a joint resolution of Congress submitting it to the state legislatures for ratification.