CONTACT:

Fred Tsao, ftsao@icirr.org, 773-251-7476

Brandon Lee, blee_census@icirr.org, 773-259-5288

ICIRR Calls on Illinois General Assembly to Pass Key Bills to Advance Racial Equity

CHICAGO -- In the closing hours of the lame duck session of the Illinois General Assembly, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is calling on both chambers to approve several key proposals to provide relief for communities of color and advance racial equity throughout our state:

• HB 163, led by Sen. Elgie Sims and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, will bring much-needed reforms to policing and our criminal legal system;

• HB 3840/ HB 5548, led by Sen. Mattie Hunter, Rep. Camille Lilly, and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, will address many of the health care disparities that harm communities of color, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;

• SB 3066, led by Rep. Delia Ramirez, would extend housing relief to thousands of Illinois residents who are facing housing loss due to the pandemic;

• HR 950, a resolution by Rep. Karina Villa calling on Congress to provide lawful permanent status for immigrants who have been essential workers during COVID.

ICIRR has been encouraged by the agreements that were reached between legislators and organized labor around pieces related to collective bargaining while standing behind the intent of these bills.  “We applaud and stand in solidarity with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus in the struggle to achieve equity for Black and other communities of color throughout our state,” said ICIRR executive director Lawrence Benito.  “We call on our state legislators to get these bills over the finish line before the lame duck session adjourns.”

###