SPRINGFIELD, Ill. —State Rep. Nicholas Smith, D-Chicago, who concluded his final legislative session in the Illinois House of Representatives on Monday morning,  emphasized the work done to ease financial pressures on working families, seniors and communities across Illinois through measures focused on affordability, economic opportunity and everyday cost relief.

“My job has always been about making life easier for the people I represent,” Smith said. “Whether it was fighting for access to healthcare, a quality education and economic opportunity. I’ve tried to stay focused on the real issues people face every day.”

Throughout his time in office, Smith supported legislation and budget priorities aimed at reducing obstacles for Illinois residents, strengthening community investment and expanding access to economic opportunities. During his final session, he continued advocating for policies centered on affordability and long-term stability for families navigating rising costs here in Illinois.

“It’s important that government responds to the realities people are living through,” Smith said. “Families are balancing rent, groceries, childcare, transportation and healthcare all at once. Those challenges should remain at the center of the work we do.”

Smith’s final legislative session also marks the close of years of public service dedicated to strengthening and advocating for his community. Colleagues and constituents have recognized his commitment to thoughtful leadership and policies intended to create lasting impact.

“As I prepare to step away from this role, I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished together,” Smith said. “There is still more work ahead, but I remain hopeful about the future of our communities and the next generation of leadership. I’m grateful to the residents who placed their trust in me throughout my time in office. Serving this district has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

To learn more about the bills Rep. Smith passed or introduced this session, visit his official webpage.

CHICAGO –In response to the ongoing faculty strike at Chicago State University (CSU), state Rep. Nick Smith, D-Chicago, issued a statement in a show of solidarity with striking faculty, staff and students.

“As a graduate of Chicago State University, I stand proudly with the students and faculty that have stood up to demand a fair contract and smaller class sizes,” said Smith. “I know firsthand the amazing work and impact that my fellow Cougars put out every day. They deserve nothing less than what they are asking for.”

The Chicago State University chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois (CSU-UPI) began their general strike last week on April 3. Dispute managers from the federal Department of Labor (DoL) oversaw negotiations between administration and staff, with all but a few of the union’s demands still unmet. As the strike enters it second week, Rep. Smith urges an amicable resolution for all parties involved.

The South Side school has been met with a myriad of challenges in recent years including the ousting of a former university president due to ethical challenges, financial challenges that threatened the school’s existence in 2016 and declining enrollment figures that the administration says is partially responsible for the school’s financial challenges. Data shows that CSU faculty are paid about ten percent below the state average for higher education professionals at other universities. In addition, faculty and students have complained about large class sizes and a lack of leave for expecting parents.

“What we are seeing here at Chicago State, Governor’s State and other universities around the country is the culmination of decades of disregard for and disinvestment in our public institutions of higher learning. We cannot allow these trends to continue here at CSU,” said Smith “Instead, we must be bold and ensure our students and the staff that teach them get everything they deserve to be successful. While it might be difficult, I am hopeful that the administration, faculty and staff will be able to reach a substantial agreement soon.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nick Smith, D-Chicago, recognized Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Awareness Month on Thursday, emphasizing its imbalanced impact on communities of color and calling for further action to support underserved patient populations.

“Metastatic TNBC is a particularly deadly form of breast cancer, with a five-year survival rate of less than 30%,” Smith said. “It is not easily treatable, and statistics show that Black, Hispanic and younger women experience higher rates. Today and throughout this month, I call on residents to support efforts to improve screening access, along with promoting cultural sensitivity in health care environments.”

Smith’s House Resolution 585 names March as Illinois’ TNBC Awareness Month. It encourages the General Assembly to support legislation that addresses disparities in early detection and survival, as well as ensuring equitable access to affordable breast cancer screening, genetic counseling and diagnostic testing. Additionally, the resolution highlights the need to increase cultural competence and diversity in the health care workforce, as well as guaranteeing patients access to timeline clinically-appropriate treatment.

TNBC accounts for 15-30% of all invasive breast cancer diagnoses in the United States. In 2019, 53,700 cases were reported. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2018 the mortality rate for breast cancer in women of all races and ethnicities in Illinois was 20.7, while for Black women it was 33.1.

“TNBC grows quickly, meaning it’s more likely to spread when doctors discover it,” Smith said. “It’s also more likely to come back after treatment than other types of breast cancer. That’s why we have to do what we can here in Illinois to educate people about this cancer, and encourage state action that can create better treatment outcomes and save more lives. The aggressive nature of TNBC, combined with existing barriers to accessing care, only exacerbates these alarming outcomes. There are targeted therapies hold great promise, but we can’t leave anyone behind.”

For more information, please contact RepSmith34@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As budget discussions continue and the General Assembly nears adjournment, the chairs for the House Higher Education, Appropriations-Higher Education and Mental Health and Addiction Committees are encouraging their colleagues to support increased funding for college campus mental health services.

“The governor’s proposed budget outlines a 5% increase in higher education operational funding,” Higher Education Chair Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, said. “This is needed funding that universities should take advantage of to reinforce and boost their on-campus mental health offerings. These services help those who are suicidal, facing substance abuse issues, depression and other serious challenges that deserve support and awareness.”

“While there was always a need for stronger mental health services, this pandemic is putting increased strain on all of us,” Mental Health and Addiction Chair Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, said. “This has been a tumultuous couple of years, with little sense of normalcy on campuses. Three years ago we passed legislation that would provide mental health services to support our students on college campuses. It is critical that we put the financial investment in our budget to fund this legislation to ensure every student can reach their full potential. Let’s make sure students have the resources they deserve to access the support they need.”

“In the past 20 years, the number of college students with clinical depression and suicidal tendencies has tripled, and approximately 1.6 million students sought counseling assistance last year,” Appropriations-Higher Education Chair La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, said. “It is perhaps no wonder that acts of violence on campuses have increased. One-third of all college students have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, a 14% increase in the last decade. Only 25% of college students receive treatment. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue. In fall 2020, 89% of college students experienced stress or anxiety because of COVID-19. Graduation rates are lower for students with mental health conditions, especially Black, Latinx and low income students. Dropout rates are 2.5 times higher. There was a time when there was a stigma around seeking mental health support now students are testifying in Springfield pleading for more mental health support on college campus. We cannot leave Springfield this year without increasing funding for colleges to provide mental health support for Illinois’ students.”

“We want all of our students to succeed, and that starts by creating a healthy environment that includes accessible mental health support,” Higher Education Vice Chair Maurice West, D-Rockford, said. “We need to be mindful of the unique challenges students are currently facing, and our budget should reflect this critical aspect of the academic experience.”

“Campus mental health cannot be overlooked as we put together a budget this year,” Mental Health and Addiction Vice Chair Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, said. “Together, our committees have held hearings that have provided valuable insight on how mental health is handled at our universities. By increasing our investment in higher education operations, we can give our institutions the resources they need to reach more students.”

“Investing in mental health services now will have a beneficial impact for years to come,” Appropriations-Higher Education Vice Chair Nicholas Smith, D-Chicago, said. “The more students we can help deal with their challenges in a professional, healthy way, the better their mental health will likely be down the road. Let’s make sure campus mental health is a priority in this budget.”

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.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Nicholas Smith, D-Chicago, requiring publication of an explanatory analysis following the closure public schools in Chicago unanimously passed out of the Illinois House.

“With overcrowding in many Chicago schools, students, parents and teachers deserve transparency when a school is closed,” said Smith. “By requiring the publication of a cost-benefit analysis, Chicago Public Schools must show that the benefits of closing a school outweigh the costs of maintaining the campus, staff and curriculum for students.”

Smith’s House Bill 2205 would require Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to publicly post a cost-benefit analysis on their website within eight months after the announcement of a school closure. In 2013, parents, students, teachers, and community members were stunned and outraged when CPS announced the closure of more than 50 schools with little transparency or explanation. Smith is fighting to ensure CPS is held accountable for their actions. Earlier this month, Smith voted in favor of making CPS board members elected rather than appointed.

“We deserve transparency especially when it relates to the education of our children and the expenditure of taxpayer dollars in local schools” continued Smith. “More importantly, students, parents and teachers deserve stability in preparing our children to become contributing members of our community, our state, and our society.”