CHICAGO —The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus hosted a day of action on the West Side of Chicago to help rebuild communities. While many peacefully protested to end injustice and systemic racism after racial acts of violence, including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, others took advantage of the moment by damaging many businesses and properties.

Together the Black Caucus, governor and lieutenant governor came together at the event to discuss how to move forward both in terms of rebuilding communities and providing equitable resources for black communities going forward.

Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) made it clear that the Black community has never been treated fairly, and that’s about to change.

“We want everything that has been owed to us for many years,” Lightford said. “Racism has been within our institutions and in our government for as long as it has existed, but I want African Americans to know that you have a group of black legislators that have been fighting on your behalf for many years. We finally have a governor who will listen, and we will continue to work with him to provide desperately needed resources, including quality jobs, health care and education. The state owes us, and we’re ready to receive it.”

This was the first of four days of action. The upcoming days of action include:

Friday, June 5: South Side, 63rd and Halsted, 3-5 p.m.

Saturday, June 6: South Suburbs, 1550 Sibley Blvd., Calumet City, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sunday, June 7: West Suburbs, 300 Oak St., Noon to 1 p.m.

The Black Caucus will join the governor in a press conference for each of the coming days of action.

MAYWOOD – To continue providing services that help curb violence in Proviso and Leyden Townships, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) supported funding for Proviso Leyden Community Council in the budget recently approved by the General Assembly.

“Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action has been an important resource for communities across my district and beyond for more than 50 years,” Lightford said. “Their work is even more valuable during these times and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of our investment.”

Organizations across the state are poised to receive grants to support violence prevention and reduction through programs and services. Under Senate Bill 264, PLCCA will receive a $788,500 grant to continue their mission to promote community development and empower people through education, training and supportive services.

Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action provides family services from cradle to adulthood, behavioral health services and supportive services, like job readiness, utility programs and more.

For more information on PLLCA and they services they offer visit https://www.plcca.org/.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

‘Burned out storefronts and looted shops’ can’t be monument to George Floyd, leaders say

By JERRY NOWICKI
Capitol News Illinois
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SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus detailed their ongoing fight for racial equality and made calls for the end of looting at a news conference held at a recently-looted strip mall Tuesday on the south side of Chicago.

“What we are seeing is pent up anger and frustration and neglect manifest itself in a very ugly way, but pain is ugly, and when people have had enough, it comes out in all forms,” state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, said at the event. “But don't get me wrong, I do not condone destruction of property, especially in our own communities, where you lay your own head.

“But I understand the sense of hopelessness that people are feeling. And I'm tired of people telling me, and us in the Black Caucus, what to do instead of simply providing opportunities for us and our people.”

The lawmakers made their call amid ongoing protests over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died May 25 in Minneapolis after being pinned to the ground for nearly nine minutes with a white police officer’s knee on his neck.

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Hear from your advocates in the Senate and House of Representatives: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (Senate Majority Leader), Senator Ram Villvalam, Representative Chris Walsh and Representative Will Davis! What are the programs mandated by the state to give MBEs a seat at the table and how is the state making sure those programs are followed.

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