SPRINGFIELD, Ill. —State Rep. Kam Buckner released the following statement after new bills reforming Government Ethics and Clean Energy passed out of the General Assembly as the Illinois House of Representatives wrapped up its Session on Thursday.

Climate and Equitable Jobs Act:

“Today in Springfield, we came together to do what we were elected to do; create a path toward a brighter future for Illinois. The passing of this Energy package will promote the use of new innovations to get us to zero carbon emission by 2045 and help combat climate change. These key reforms will preserve the environment, create the jobs of the future, and promote fair equitable resourcing for the people and communities across Illinois.”

“I want to applaud my colleague state Rep. Marcus Evans for spearheading the final compromise that led to the passing of this landmark legislation. His efforts to ensure that even as we balanced a wide range of priorities, we remained focused on the task at hand. Rep. Evans, like myself, has worked tirelessly to create a truly equitable Illinois where your quality of life is not determined by your zip code and this plan to make us carbon free will preserve life for those most impacted by pollution.”

Ethics Package:

“The passage of the Ethics bill will help restore the line of trust between our government and the people of Illinois to whom we took an oath to represent with honor and dignity. Our constituents should never have to be wary of elected officials using their positions and influence to push their own self-benefiting agendas. Each and every day public officials and state government workers spend employed should be used to work for the best interest of people and the passing of Senate Bill 539 will help ensure that is the case.”

CHICAGO – Following his commitment to strengthen local schools, state Rep. Lamont Robinson, Jr., D-Chicago, voted this week to make the Chicago School Board an elected body.

“Chicago is the only school district in the state that has an appointed school board,” Robinson said. “We’ve seen over and over again that our current school board has not put in the time and effort necessary to make sure that students in our community have everything they need in their schools to succeed. An elected school board will allow local residents from our neighborhood to properly advocate for the needs of our children.”

Currently, members of the Chicago Board of Education are appointed by the mayor of Chicago. Robinson’s House Bill 2267 would change Chicago’s current appointed board into an elected one starting with the 2023 municipal election. Registered voters with residency in the Chicago electoral district for at least one year immediately preceding the election would be eligible to run for a board member position. The legislation would split Chicago into 20 districts that would each elect a representative for the board. Additionally, the measure calls on the General Assembly to review and make any necessary improvements or changes to the structure of the elected school board in 2029.

“Our neighborhoods and students have been disproportionately impacted by decisions of the current school board that closed local schools, increased class sizes and didn’t bring important resources to our classrooms,” Robinson added. “I believe that a school board that represents our community will help bring many much needed resources to our teachers and students.”

For more information about legislation or upcoming events, contact state Rep. Robinson’s constituent service office at District5Rep@LamontJRobinson.com.