Mussman-Backed Legislation Supports Ukrainian Refugees, Severs State Financial Ties to Russia

SCHAUMBURG,Ill. – In concert with global efforts to punish Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine and support Ukrainian refugees, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Chicago, voted to pass legislation that ends state investment in Russian assets, targets the wealth of Russian oligarchs and strengthens the state’s refugee support system.

“This action is just one part of the global community’s plan to punish and isolate Russia for its ongoing illegal war against neighboring Ukraine,” said Mussman. “Cutting Putin’s war machine off from our state’s financial resources is critical to slowing down Russia’s ability to conduct its war of aggression.”

Mussman voted in support of House Bill 1293, which takes several punitive actions against Russia and its ally Belarus. The bill bans state investment with the two nations, creates a money laundering task force to track the illicit assets of Russia oligarchs and enhances the Illinois Elections and Infrastructure Task Force to strengthen our systems against Russian electoral interference. In addition to these measures taken against Russia and Belarus, this legislation also provides more support for Ukrainian refugees by expanding the emergency authority of the Department of Human Services.

The measure was approved by bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate, and now awaits the signature of Gov. JB Pritzker.

“Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine was an attack on all of us by ignoring the rule of law and international norms, and we cannot afford to sit idly by,” said Mussman. “We must continue to use every means we have to support Ukraine and its people.”