Ammons Bill Creating the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee Passes in House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A staunch advocate for equity, reparations and righting the historic oppression of Black and other people of color, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, has passed legislation to create a committee to study forensic and historical accountability to consider the implementation of a permanent Illinois Office of Genealogical Affairs.

“Illinois may have been in the Union, but our state still played a role in our nation’s history of forced, coerced labor, family separation, racial violence and more,” said Ammons. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to become a state that embraces and respects everyone, despite race or gender or sexual orientation, and we can take things a step further by working to actually right our historic wrongs.”

Ammons’ House Bill 5486 establishes the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee to explore the potential cost, feasibility, and impact of a permanent Office of Genealogical Affairs in Illinois. Specifically, the study committee will explore in what ways a permanent office could aid in historical and forensic research, reparative operations and how the office could support administrative genealogical determinations. This office would allow for exploration of state archives and other offices to ensure our residents have equitable access to what is ours, from accessing familial property to our family’s remains.

“As the country prepares to celebrate 250 years of existence, part of the celebration must include the significant contributions of African-Americans,” said Ammons. “Many Afro-descendants struggle to build their family trees due to the deliberate separation of people who were enslaved in the United States. We have a duty to help those families who have been lost over time to access records to help fill the gaps, and restore family histories. It’s about healing and alignment. ”

House Bill 5486 passed in the House and heads to the Senate for consideration.