SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Formerly incarcerated Illinoisans will be better prepared to successfully re-enter society and secure work and housing under a new law enacted by state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, ensuring ex-offenders are released with a free state ID card.

“A person leaving incarceration needs to find a job, find housing, set up utilities—just the same as each of us—only they have to do all of those things all at once, from scratch,” Nichols said. “Without an ID, it’s all just that much harder, and some people won’t be able to manage, possibly even being driven to reoffend just to survive. And whose interests are served by that?”

Nichols sponsored House Bill 3345, which ensures that the Department of Corrections will provide an official Illinois Identification Card to each incarcerated person, at no charge, one week before their scheduled release.

The bill passed the House with a bipartisan majority and cleared the Senate unanimously. It was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on July 28.

“Forcing a person who has been incarcerated to navigate the normal ID process after release, before they can secure a stable living situation, is an unnecessary complication which needlessly contributes to reintegration issues and, too often, to recidivism,” Nichols said. “This is a problem that is easy to solve and that’s why choosing to solve it was the right choice.”

CHICAGO – The Illinois Legislative House Black Caucus issued this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision blocking efforts to expand equity and opportunity in college admissions:

“Our radical Supreme Court’s tragic decision to sever equitable opportunities and curtail human rights for countless Black Americans will exact a devastating toll on our communities. Opportunities for higher education, which were growing thanks to effective affirmative admissions policies, will once again be denied to Black students who have often had to overcome major obstacles to achieve academic excellence.

“This move serves only to meet a partisan agenda while propping up a deeply-racist power structure that has haunted the Black community for generations. Affirmative action was undertaken to overcome the lingering effects of slavery and Jim Crow policies and provide the promise of opportunity to Black children suffering under those effects. Now that promise has been broken.

“The Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus is eager to work with Governor Pritzker to take immediate action to continue expanding access to college education for all, and to continue pursuing equity-based reforms. Recent steps to substantially expand MAP grants and other education programs that benefit the Black community are a good start.  All students deserve better than a Supreme Court that embraces fundamentalism over fairness and acts consistently to preserve a system of oppression. Illinois will take every step we can to combat the racial injustice the court favors.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, will be joined by House colleagues La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago and Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, at a press conference in the State Capitol Blue Room at 11:30am on Thursday, March 30 to discuss the new Higher Education—Procurement Subcommittee, of which Nichols has been appointed Chairman.

“Equity and inclusion need to be at the heart of everything we do, especially in an area like higher education, which is so fundamental to equality of opportunity and access to upward mobility,” Nichols said. “The work of this subcommittee will be instrumental in ensuring that procurement practices and programs throughout Illinois’ public institutions of higher learning are consistent with 21^st century values of justice and fairness.”

“I’m glad to join this subcommittee and push for a more equitable procurement process in our higher education community,” Hernandez said. “Illinoisans are committed to our state being a nationwide leader in promoting diversity and fairness, and the formation of this subcommittee is another step in the right direction.”

“Rep. Nichols has a strong committee to push our colleges and universities to increase diversity in contracts for professional services and other procurement opportunities,” Ford said. “As Chairman of the Appropriations-Higher Education Committee, I’m setting this subcommittee and naming Rep. Nichols as chairman to meet with colleges and universities in Illinois so that we can lead the nation in contract opportunities to Black, Brown and women-owned businesses.”

Nichols said he expects the subcommittee’s work to focus at least initially on improving the collection and use of demographic data to examine existing procurement practices and uncover areas where change may be needed.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – All students would be able to receive quality early childhood education under full-day kindergarten legislation that state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, helped pass this week.

“Pre-K and kindergarten are some of the most important formative years for kids. It’s when we lay the foundation for all the rest of their education to come,” Nichols said. “By the time kids enter first grade, it’s already apparent who has been given that foundation, and who hasn’t. So when we look ahead and ask why some students aren’t on the path to success, we need to recognize that it isn’t chance – it’s a choice. Instead, let’s choose to give every student the same opportunity during these formative years.”

Nichols shared impassioned comments on the House floor in support of House Bill 2396, helping to pass the legislation with bipartisan support. The bill sets every school district in Illinois on the path to offer full-day kindergarten in the next four years. Implementation will be overseen by a Full-Day Kindergarten Task Force.

The bill now awaits passage by the State Senate.

“We say we can only afford to invest halfway in the first years of our kids’ education, and in the next breath we wonder why so many trends are going the wrong way,” Nichols said. “We need to stop acting as though crime and other systemic problems are just manifesting out of thin air. There’s a connection there.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual State of the State and Budget Address, state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, released the following statement:

“We’ve done a lot of work to move Illinois forward, and that work is far from over. We’ve seen how rising costs, gun violence, and public health emergencies often take the greatest toll on those communities that have been historically excluded and underserved. So we need to make sure that the work we’re doing to rebuild Illinois’ fiscal house will mean positive change for those in the greatest need.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to make smart investments in our schools, in job opportunities, in addressing the root causes of crime, and building communities that work for us all. That work begins with a state budget that is both fiscally and socially responsible, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the governor to get that done.”  

Nichols’ office can be reached at 773-912-6107 or rep32nd@gmail.com.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, will be an advocate for institutions of higher learning in Illinois, along with students, vulnerable and food insecure communities and first responders across the state after being appointed to several key House committees.

“Education, healthy food, a sustainable environment and public safety are all important parts of the foundation of a strong society and economy,” Nichols said. “With these committee assignments, I’ll be able to make sure that the interests of those I represent are front and center during discussions of these important issues.”

Nichols was appointed as Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations: Higher Education Committee; Agriculture & Conservation Committee; Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charters Committee and the Police & Fire Committee.

“The people who elected us have consistently told us the same thing: if we just provide them the environment and the tools necessary for them to succeed, they will take care of the rest,” Nichols said. “What people need in order to thrive is no mystery—education, easy access to healthy food and other necessities and a safe and healthful community in which to live and work. All that’s needed is for those charged with representing Illinois families to keep their eyes on the ball and their noses to the grindstone—and today I am pledging to do just that.”

Nichols’ office can be reached at 773-912-6107 or rep32nd@gmail.com.

CHICAGO – Following its announcement by city and county officials on Friday, state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, is promoting awareness of the new 211 social services hotline now available to all residents of Cook County. The hotline is available via phone, text and web chat. Residents can use 211 to be connected with a local Resource Navigator who can assist with finding and accessing assistance and other programs in a wide variety of categories.

“Chicago and Cook County have many high-quality social services programs, but even the best programs aren’t going to be as effective as they could be if people don’t know about them or have trouble accessing them,” Nichols said. “Now there is a central number that people can use as a starting point to find what they need more easily.”

Categories covered by 211 include Housing, Senior Services, Legal Assistance, Immigration, Veteran Services, Health Care and Utility Assistance. A full list of resource categories as well as additional information can be found at https://211metrochicago.org. To connect with 211 via text message, residents should text their ZIP code to 898211.

“Connecting those we serve with the resources they are entitled to easily and efficiently is an important responsibility,” Nichols said. “That’s why a resource like 211 is so important. I’m glad to see the city and county stepping up for our communities.”

Nichols’ office can be reached at 773-912-6107 or rep32nd@gmail.com.