Lightford: This budget begins to reimagine our state

• Budget
• COVID-19

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 budget, found in Senate Bill 264, providing funding for services that will put Illinois on the road to recovery from the health and economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“When we approved this budget, we did not think we would be in the middle of a movement today. I am proud of the work we did to bring much-needed funds to minority communities that were placed in the path of the COVID-19 storm as a result of decades of systemic racism.

“This budget is only the beginning of reimagining our state. We will continue to fight boldly for basic human rights through a path that not only recognizes the wrongs of the past, but turns the tide once and for all. I look forward to continuing this important work alongside Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in the General Assembly.”

State of Illinois announces nearly $1 million available for Illinois procurement technical assistance centers

• BEP

Funds will Enable Businesses Throughout Illinois to Identify, Compete for, and Win Government Contracts – Deadline to Apply is July 10, 2020

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced a new grant opportunity for the renewal or establishment of new Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) – a statewide network focused on matching small business with governmental entities seeking goods and services that the businesses offer. Through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released today, the State will make up to $816,000 available in federal and state funds for new or existing community-based PTACs to offer continued support in helping small businesses become certified so they can identify and obtain contracts with local government and their contractors.

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Illinois lawmakers demand at least a billion dollars into black communities

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.

Pritzker attends Maywood Day of Action, calls for racial justice

FOX 32 Chicago

MAYWOOD, Ill. - Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for a moment of silence Sunday to honor black people who have lost their lives at the hands of police.

Pritzker once again joined the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus for its four-day series of days of action.

Sunday's event was held in Maywood.

State leaders discussed actions to rebuild community and provide equitable resources for black communities.

The caucus is demanding an emergency session of the general assembly to approve social and economic reform legislation.

"So I am just pleading at this point to my colleagues in the legislature, when you see that black agenda gets put on the table we need you to embrace our black agenda, we need you to get behind our black agenda,” State Sen. Kimberly Lightford said.

"Our demand is for a billion dollars investment in every black community because black lives matter,” State Sen. Emanuel “Chris” Welch said.

There was also a push to complete the census which will help to bring more federal funding into communities.

If you haven't done so already, you can complete the questionnaire online at 2020Census.gov.