Equity and Inclusion

Illinois Pre-Apprenticeship Programs Boost Women and Minorities in Construction, Study Finds

August 22, 2025

Programs to prepare workers for skilled trades apprenticeships have significantly boosted the number of women and people of color in Illinois’ construction workforce and also yield a big return on investment, according to a report released Wednesday. In Illinois, enrollment…

Capitol Briefs: Biden designates Springfield 1908 Race Riot Monument

August 22, 2024

President Joe Biden signed a proclamation on Friday to designate the “Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument” on the 116th anniversary of the deadly riot in the state capital.  “We’re allowing history to be written – what happened – so our children, our…

Women in Power: Honoring Women Leaders and History Makers in Illinois

March 1, 2024

Happy Women’s History Month! March invites us to celebrate and honor the profound impact women have had in shaping our society throughout history. This year, Democrats for the Illinois House is highlighting an exceptional group of women in power who…

DNC Chair Minyon Moore to Join House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Fellow Leaders for Women in Power 

February 27, 2024

This Friday, (March 1st) Democrats for the Illinois House will kick off Women’s History Month with a fundraising event celebrating some of Illinois’ most dynamic women in power. The annual Women’s History Month event hosted by Speaker Welch and House…

Creating a State Child Tax Credit This Year is Exactly What Chicago’s Black Families Need

February 9, 2024

By Marcus Evans, Jr. These days, it is harder than ever to make ends meet for hardworking families in Chicago, particularly in our city’s Black communities. Rapidly rising costs have exacerbated longstanding inequity and injustice rooted in our city’s historical…

Our Past, Our Present, Our Future: Celebrating Black Leadership and Ingenuity in Illinois History

February 1, 2024

This year, our Black History Month theme is ‘Our Past, Our Present, Our Future’ because the contributions of African-Americans have crafted our great nation and will continue to be vital as we move forward on the path to progress. Black…

What a Permanent Child Tax Credit Could Mean for Families in Illinois

January 13, 2024

Advocates and lawmakers are calling for a permanent child tax credit to help lessen the economic burden on struggling families. The expansion of the child tax credit during the pandemic — which included cash payments to families for six months…

Running for Office As a Young Person Means Dealing With Ageism. I Did It Anyway.

January 11, 2024

In this op-ed, Illinois’ youngest latino state representative, Edgar Gonzalez Jr., discusses why he thinks young people should run for office. This piece is being published in coordination with Sister District, an organization working to build progressive power in state…

MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honors former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris at breakfast reception

October 29, 2023

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honored former Democratic Illinois House Majority Leader Rep. Greg Harris at a breakfast reception and bi-monthly board meeting Oct. 19 at the MWRD headquarters in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. Ahead…

Cash bail disproportionately impacts communities of color. Illinois is the first state to abolish it

September 14, 2023

CHICAGO (AP) — It took four and a half months for Shannon Ross’ life to unravel. Ross, who describes himself as Indigenous and a person of color, was arrested in Chicago in October 2019 on weapons charges and ultimately found…