Rep. Delia Ramirez Congratulates Speaker Welch, Applauds Recent Criminal Justice and Housing Reform

SPRINGFIELD, Ill – State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, who was sworn in for her second term as state representative Wednesday, with a  focus on housing security and criminal justice reform. 

Ramirez released the following statement:

“Over the course of the last days of the previous legislative session, Illinois has made tremendous progress towards a building a brighter future and correcting the mistakes of our past. I first would like to congratulate state Representative Emmanuel ‘Chris’ Welch’s on his election to House Speaker on Wednesday. Choosing the first African-American Speaker in Illinois’ 202-year history is an historic moment for our state that I am proud to be a part of. Creating more opportunities for people of color to lead in our government is an important step towards building racial equality.

“Despite this advancement, Illinois undoubtedly still faces a crisis of systemic racism. That is why new legislation reforming our criminal justice system is so critical. For far too long, black and brown members of our community have lived under threat of unequal treatment and targeting by law enforcement. I am especially pleased by the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which will put an end to cash bail in Illinois, a practice which packed our jails with countless people, often African-American and Latinx, who had not been convicted of a crime.

“We have also made excellent reforms regarding economic equality, especially housing rights. Former low-level narcotics offenders are being denied fair access to housing, making it even more difficult for them to return to living peaceful lives within the bounds of the law. I am proud to say the centerpiece of the housing package was a set of provisions I developed. While my legislation to provide eviction moratoriums and stays on foreclosure proceedings did not make it through the Senate, I am pleased that my colleagues in the House made the right choice. This session has overall shown great progress for housing rights in Illinois. I look forward to continuing to work for our community in the coming session.”