Hernandez Appointed to New Task Force to Review Statues on State Grounds

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, was recently appointed by Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch to a bipartisan Statue and Monument Review Task Force as an effort to ensure that statues and other ceremonial landmarks on state property reflect the values and morals of the state.

“This past year, we have seen a national movement of communities calling for the removal of certain statues and artwork that tell a perpetual, offensive and untrue narrative about history,” said Hernandez. “It is important that our government’s art reflects the values and diverse makeup of our state, and that requires us to review the public art we have and remove any that promote a narrative of white supremacy or one-sided history as well as add more representation of historical figures from communities of color.”

The Statue and Monument Review Task Force will host several public hearings to hear firsthand from historians, advocates, organizations and other members of the public. The task force will then produce recommendations for the removal of existing statues and may also recommend the construction of new statues to ensure Illinois’ public art is historically accurate and reflects the diversity of the state.

“This task force will provide the opportunity for us to have a long, overdue discussion about the historical context of our public art,” said Hernandez. “I am looking forward to beginning this important work on the task force with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and bringing this important change to our state.”

For more information, please contact Hernandez’s constituent services office at 630-270-1848 or at RepBarbaraHernandez@gmail.com.