CHICAGO – Lawmakers working to create districts for Chicago’s new elected, representative school board will hold a series of public hearings offering residents the opportunity to share their thoughts on how the districts should be configured.

In 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation creating an elected, representative school board to oversee the Chicago Public Schools. In 2024, Chicago voters will elect ten board members, who will serve alongside 11 mayoral appointees. In 2026, the 11 appointed members will be replaced by elected board members, creating an entirely elected board. Once fully implemented, 20 board members will represent districts across the city, with one member being elected citywide.

Chicago residents are welcome to share their thoughts on how these new board districts should be configured at any of the following virtual or in-person hearings:

Monday, April 24 at 1 p.m.
Fully virtual hearing

Saturday, April 29 at noon
Kenwood Academy High School – Auditorium
5015 S Blackstone Ave., Chicago
In-person only

Monday, May 1 at 6 p.m.
Lane Tech College Prep High School – Auditorium
2501 W Addison St., Chicago
In-person only

Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m.
Fully virtual hearing

Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m.
Curie High School – Auditorium
4959 S Archer Ave., Chicago
In-person only

Individuals or groups interested in testifying should contact
RedistrictingCommittee@hds.ilga.gov. Please include the date of the hearing you wish to attend, and a brief description of the testimony you wish to share. Witnesses will then be emailed a link.

Written testimony can also be shared with legislators at any time by emailing RedistrictingCommittee@hds.ilga.gov.
Those interested in viewing virtual hearings can stream at ilga.gov.

CHICAGO – To help develop policies and best practices for combatting human trafficking in Illinois, state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, has been appointed to the newly created Human Trafficking Task Force.

“Illinois is a national and international crossroads for goods and transportation. Unfortunately, that also makes Illinois a crossroads for human trafficking,” Buckner said. “As a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force, I will work to improve our response to human trafficking and ensure that the resources necessary for human trafficking prevention and survivor support are available.”

Buckner sponsored Senate Bill 1599, recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, to create the Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force will work to improve data sharing and collection between government agencies about human trafficking and study how the state can work with private and non-profit entities to prevent human trafficking and provide assistance to survivors. The task force will also identify best practices for reducing disparities in the treatment of missing persons cases based on gender and race.

The creation of the Human Trafficking Task Force builds on previous pair of measures supported by Buckner to address human trafficking in Illinois. In 2019 Buckner supported a law, Senate Bill 1890, to lengthen the civil and criminal statute of limitations on human trafficking and crack down on businesses that profit from sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude of women and children. The same year Buckner also supported a law, House Bill 3101, to require hotel and motel employees to receive training to recognize human trafficking and alert authorities.

“Illinois has made great strides towards building a survivor-centered, trauma-informed response to human trafficking. However, there is more we must do to ensure equal justice for survivors and to prevent human trafficking altogether. ” Buckner said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to improve our understanding of the depth of human trafficking in our state and finding new ways to reduce and prevent human trafficking in Illinois.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, last week partnered with Community Assistance Programs (CAPs) to host a community job readiness and workforce development workshop aimed at helping residents secure jobs.

“With the state doing its best to transition from the pandemic back to normalcy, it’s critical that we help our workforce do the same,” said Slaughter. “There are thousand of available jobs that are in need of a prepared and qualified worker to fill the role and its events like this that help to address those needs.” 

Slaughter and CAPs hosted the job readiness and workforce dvelopment on Thursday, July 29 outside Slaughter’s district office to increase social distancing and avoid the transmission of COVID-19 amongst individuals gathered in an indoor setting. Representatives from CAPs assisted attendees with preparing for job interviews, resume writing and job readiness. All attendees will continue to work with CAPs to complete a job training program and be matched with a job.

“In these difficult times, we have to make sure that we are prepared to address the inequality that has plagued our community,” said Slaughter. “I am proud to continue to work with organizations like CAPs to continue to address this need and create opportunity where it is most needed.”

For more information, please reach out to Rep. Slaughter’s office at 773-445-9700 or office@repslaughter.com

CHICAGO – To help working families and youth struggling financially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported a new state law that allows minors to apply for and receive employment certificates online.

“As the economy begins to reopen and heal from the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to make sure that we continue to mobilize workers here in Illinois,” said Slaughter. “This new law streamlines the process for 14 and 15-year-olds to get a work permit, benefiting both prospective workers and employers, and I am glad to see it signed into law.” 

The Slaughter-backed Senate Bill 696 passed both chambers of the General Assembly without opposition and was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Continuing an emergency rule put in place during the pandemic, this legislation creates a permanent remote option for granting certificates for minors to enter the workforce.

“A first job is an opportunity to expose someone to life skills and experiences they can’t receive anywhere else,” said Slaughter. “Whether it’s to save money for college, earn cash or pursue work that interests them, this measure makes it easier for our youth to chart their own path forward.” 

CHICAGO – Measures to improve compensation for victims of crime and strengthen and enhance the SAFE-T Act, Illinois’ comprehensive criminal justice reforms passed earlier this year, championed by state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, were recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Although we made much needed progress with the passage of the SAFE-T Act to strengthen police accountability and devote more resources to fighting violent crime, we still have a lot of work to do before Illinois sees the equality and fairness that we so desperately need,” Slaughter said. “We must keep pressing forward in order to build an equitable, modern and more responsive public safety system.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed into law two bills sponsored by Slaughter that build upon the SAFE-T Act, also known as Public Act 101-0652. House Bill 3443 aligns the definition of a mental health crisis with standards from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This will help police departments meet requirements for monthly reports filed with the Illinois State Police (ISP) containing their responses to people experiencing a mental health crisis. House Bill 3443 also strengthens timelines for implementing the SAFE-T Act. House Bill 3295 increases potential compensation for victims of violent crime by over 66% from $27,000 to $45,000 and allows more time for victims to successfully complete applications for compensation.

“Illinois is experiencing a new day for equity and for justice by adopting a smart on crime approach to public safety and turning the page on the failed policies of the past that kept families less safe,” Slaughter said. “ I will continue to push for improvements to our justice system so that every family can feel safe in their community.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help boost the local economy and support community business owners, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is encouraging shoppers to participate in Small Business Saturday.

“As many families begin gift shopping for the holiday season, it is important to patron the small businesses that are right here in our local neighborhoods,” said Hurley. “Small businesses help keep our community unique, and supporting local businesses translates to a direct investment back into our economy.”

Saturday, Nov. 30 marks the 10th Annual Small Business Saturday, which was created to help small businesses compete with large retailers between the busy shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Hurley is encouraging residents to shop locally at small businesses this holiday season, as they offer unique goods for gifts, jobs for local residents, and support to local charities and organizations.

Shopping local is increasingly highlighted as a great way to support local communities, as a recent study showed if a consumer were to spend $100 at a local small business, roughly $68 of that money stays in the local economy. However, if the same consumer spent the same $100 at a large corporation, only $43 of that money would stay in the local economy.

“When we shop locally we are supporting our neighbors and stimulating our local economy, not putting more money in the pockets of billionaires,” continued Hurley. “I encourage local residents to consider shopping small not just on Small Business Saturday but throughout the year.”

For more information, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  – State Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, is working to cap insulin costs for patients as part of her work to lower prescription drug prices for Illinoisans.

“It is wrong for patients in need of insulin treatments to be priced out of lifesaving health care,” Mah said. “In Illinois, we will put an end to large insurance corporations and prescription drug companies putting profits ahead of people.”

To ensure that individuals in need of insulin do not face outrageous out-of-pocket costs, Mah is sponsoring Senate Bill 667 to cap co-payments for insulin at $100 per month. Mah’s measure would also direct the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to investigate and report on additional consumer protections for insulin pricing. Mah’s legislation would make Illinois the second state after Colorado to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin treatments.

“Building a stronger Illinois means lowering prescription drug prices for patients and protecting critical health care access,” Mah said. “No person should be forced to choose between having lifesaving insulin and keeping a roof over their head or putting food on their table. This measure will help ensure that drug companies aren’t putting patients in a bind by charging outrageous and unreasonable prices.”

Mah represents the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of Back of the Yards, Bridgeport, Brighton Park, Chinatown, McKinley Park, and Pilsen.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, recently attended the 2019 Denver Marijuana Management Symposium (MMS), a summit for law enforcement, public sector officials and regulators that addresses challenges and presents solutions to implement adult-use recreational cannabis laws.

“Illinois was the first state to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana through the legislative process, with a focus on addressing a wide range of constituencies, including the business community, law enforcement, local governments and advocates for criminal justice reform,” Harper said. “I was proud to take lessons learned from the legalization process in Illinois and present them to public officials from around the country while also being able to learn how other governments have addressed challenges and concerns from their experiences of legalization.”

At the 2019 Denver MMS, Harper was a featured panelist speaking about the development and implementation of dispensary and growing regulations, licensing and tax rates from a legislative perspective. Harper’s panel also focused on the challenges facing local jurisdictions and how the concerns of municipalities shaped the legalization process in Illinois.

CHICAGO – In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly is highlighting resources for victims of domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is an urgent and critical issue that touches every part of our state and can happen to any person from any background,” Lilly said. “During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it is imperative that each of us recognize that domestic violence isn’t a personal issue, but a societal issue that demands we take action to support victims and survivors.”

The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ILCADV) reports that one in three women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lives. Signs of domestic violence according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline include emotional, physical and sexual abuse that features coercion, intimidation and threats centered on the control and power of the abuser. The impacts of domestic violence are wide-ranging according to data compiled by the ILCADV, including abused partners being more likely to experience asthma, heart disease and strokes and domestic violence being the chief cause of injury for women aged 18-44. Economically, ILCADV reports that direct healthcare costs from domestic violence total over $4 billion annually across the country with nearly $2 billion in additional economic costs due to injuries or deaths.

A range of resources exist for people experiencing domestic violence. The following free resources are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week and include confidential support, multilingual advocates, and victim-centered services regardless of disability, ethnicity, gender, income, race, religion or sexual orientation:

• the Illinois Domestic Violence Help Line at 877-TO END DV (877-863-6338)
• the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) or with online chat service at org
• the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 866-331-9474, by texting loveis to 25222, or with online chat service at org
• the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673) or with online chat service at rainn.org

“Each and every day there are people we know experiencing domestic violence, including colleagues, family and friends,” Lilly said. “This October, we all need to take the time to become familiar with the signs of domestic violence and the resources available for victims and survivors so that we can make sure no one experiencing domestic violence goes without the help they need and deserve.”

CHICAGO – Recently, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, attended the annual Gladstone Park Fall Fest to meet and greet local neighbors one-on-one and to judge the costume contest.

“Events like these bring our community closer together and are a great way for residents to learn about our office,” said LaPointe. “We want to continually show that we are accessible to our neighbors and very much a part of the community.”

LaPointe represents the 19th District, which covers portions of Chicago’s Big Oaks, Dunning, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Union Ridge and West Portage Park neighborhoods, and River Grove, Elmwood Park, Norridge and Harwood Heights.