Equity and Inclusion

Happy Women's History Month! This year, Democrats for the Illinois House is highlighting an exceptional group of women in power who are making historic strides for equity and inclusion and opening doors for the next generation.

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…

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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…

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Working families deserve a break. That's why Leader Evans is pushing for a state Child Tax Credit. This $300 per child credit would also help address generational inequities in our black and brown communities.

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…

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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 history is American history. And while many states are taking drastic steps to erase it from their textbooks, here in Illinois, we embrace it. Throughout this month, we will be highlighting eight of Illinois' greatest achievements thanks to black leadership and ingenuity.

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…

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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…

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In this op-ed, Illinois’ youngest latino state representative, Edgar Gonzalez Jr., discusses why he thinks young people should run for office.

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…

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A group of people standing together in front of a brown wall

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…

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Studies show nearly 74% of people jailed in the U.S. are awaiting trial. Even when found not guilty, many lose their jobs, their homes, and even custody of their children. Illinois' Pretrial Fairness Act counteracts this by taking money out of the equation. Instead, judges will decide pretrial detainment based on a public safety evaluation.

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…

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Itedal Shalabi, leader of the nonprofit Arab American Family Services, celebrates the addition of a the Middle Eastern and North African catagory for census data in Illinois. (Hank Sanders/Daily Southtown)

Middle Eastern community celebrates Illinois becoming first state to add its racial classification

September 6, 2023

With just a few short words, lawmakers passed a bill that, once signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, makes Illinois the first state to add the racial classification of Middle Eastern or North African for state data collection purposes. State senators,…

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A common myth about Illinois House Bill 3751 is that it will allow undocumented immigrants to become police officers. This claim is NOT true. HB 3751 will only allow those who are legally eligible to work in the U.S. to become police officers.

Fact Check-Illinois bill only allows certain non-citizens to become police officers

August 16, 2023

Illinois House Bill 3751 only allows non-citizens who are eligible to work in the U.S. and are authorized to possess firearms under federal law to become police officers. Contrary to confusion on social media, the bill does not extend this…

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