Latino Caucus Looks to Continue Lifting Up Illinois Families, Crack Down on Corruption

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, released the following statement on behalf of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus in response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State Address:   

“Over the past year, Latino Caucus members were at the forefront of legislation to gradually raise the minimum wage to a living wage; to expand access to financial aid to all of our students; to protect our families from Donald Trump’s bigoted agenda; to ensure seniors do not miss out on property tax relief; to close the wage gap between men and women; to ensure there’s equity and opportunity in the use of recreational cannabis; and countless of other initiatives that lift up our communities.

“While we have made tremendous progress, there’s plenty of work ahead of us to restore faith in what we can do when we work together. When bad actors exploit the public trust to enrich themselves, it diminishes our ability to build a stronger Illinois. We need comprehensive ethics reform not only to prevent corrupt individuals from holding office but to ensure that justice is brought to the communities who have been betrayed by those they placed trust in. The Latino Caucus is strong when we’re led by our shared values and we look forward to continue our work to expand opportunity and put an end to the status quo.”