- Published: Thursday, October 01, 2020 10:29 PM
CHICAGO—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus laid out efforts to close the racial wealth gap that has long been perpetuated by systemic racism during a press conference on Thursday at Teamwork Englewood ahead of a scheduled Senate committee hearing on the issue.
The Black Caucus discussed their plans to develop meaningful legislation to eliminate barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity.
ILBC Chairman Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) said the Black Caucus is committed to eliminating all forms of economic oppression in Illinois.
“This country was built on the backs of our ancestors. Yet, centuries of discrimination and oppression continue to prevent African Americans from receiving a fair stake of their economic power and growth,” Lightford said. “Various systems were designed to prevent Black people from gaining the same level of financial success as our white counterparts. We must dismantle every form of systemic racism, so that Black Illinoisans will finally achieve the economic equity we have long worked and fought for.”