June 7, 2020
Brooke Schlyer

MAYWOOD (WSIL) -- A group of state lawmakers are calling for police reform and at least a billion dollars of investment into black communities.

For the fourth day in a row, members of the Joint Caucus of Black Elected Officials held a "Day of Action" event discussing the death of George Floyd and solutions to systemic racism.

These events have been taking place all around Cook County but most recently on Sunday at the Fred Hampton Pool in Maywood.

That's where those in attendance including Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and State Representative Emanuel "Chris" Welch demanded change.

Welch had the crowd repeat the group's demands in front of Governor JB Pritkzer who also spoke at the event.

"Our demand, governor, is for real police accountability," Welch had the crowd repeat. "Our demand, governor, is for a billion dollars of investment. Right here in our community."

Welch went on to say that police reform and investment is how the state can help to correct the wrongs of the past.

The state representative ended his speech with the crowd repeating him one last time.

"Our demand is for a billion dollars in every black community," he said. "Because black lives matter."

You can watch the full speech here.