The Shriver Center applauds the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus for its leadership in listening to communities’ needs and advancing this expansive body of legislation during this challenging and uncertain time.
January 8, 2021
As the Illinois General Assembly begins a critical legislative session to address the COVID-19 pandemic and recent racial reckoning, the Shriver Center on Poverty Law strongly endorses the policy agenda of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC).
The ILBC mobilized in 2020 to develop a comprehensive response to the legacy of divestment in Black communities in Illinois. As introduced, we support the pillars of Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability; Economic access, equity and opportunity; and Health care and human services. The proposals include both innovative and proven measures to not only address long-standing disparities but fuel opportunity and improve quality of lives.
The Shriver Center applauds the ILBC for its leadership in listening to communities’ needs and advancing this expansive body of legislation during this challenging and uncertain time.
The Shriver Center advocacy efforts will amplify the ILBC agenda as well as key issues facing our communities, such as passing the Pre-Trial Fairness Act which seeks to abolish cash bail in the Illinois criminal legal system, ensuring that justice-involved individuals have equitable access to stable housing, requiring implicit bias training for medical professionals, coverage of necessary birth support services in Black communities, and addressing the gender and racial wage gaps.
We are also supportive of the establishment of an Anti-Racism Commission which will propose statewide policies to eliminate systemic racism and advance equitable solutions for Black, Latino/a/x, and other communities of color in Illinois.
The moment is now for major reform and change to ensure immediate and long-term health, safety, and security for communities across Illinois. The Shriver Center calls on the General Assembly to pass these important measures this session and take a major step in securing economic and racial justice for all Illinoisans.
People with criminal records face barriers to housing, employment, and other basic needs.
Our laws and policies must support people by ensuring fair work at a living wage and by providing the income supports families need to be successful.
We are intentional about addressing barriers to healthcare that specific communities experience.
Shelter is not only a basic human need, it is also critical to people’s ability to pursue and attain economic stability.
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