Happy June! This month means so many things in our state and our community; it’s the start of Pride month, the end of the academic year for our students, the close of the legislative session in Springfield, and the celebration of Juneteenth, to name a few.
We also have a lot to celebrate with more than 63% of adults in Chicago with at least one shot of the COVID-19 Vaccine (Block Club Chicago). Additionally, as of June 2, the city’s COVID positivity rate is 2.0%, the lowest it’s been since March 2020 (@ChicagosMayor Twitter).
This progress felt very far-fetched just a few months ago, but thanks to everyone’s sacrifices, our heroic essential workers, and leadership at every level, we’re days away from a fully open city — just in time to celebrate the best season to be a Chicagoan: summer!
Thank you once again for your patience, persistence, and perseverance during the last year. COVID-19 caused us all to lose so much, but there’s still so much to be thankful for. I’m grateful for all our neighbors’ valiant efforts to stay strong while keeping distant.
Legislative Updates
Earlier this week, the General Assembly concluded our spring legislative session. We passed a number of bills to help the lives of Illinois families.
I’m incredibly proud that the legislation I led to expand the definition of infertility by insurance companies to cover all Illinoisans, including same-sex couples, women over 35, and single women, passed both chambers and is headed to Governor Pritzker for signature. The need for this legislation was brought to my attention by one of my constituents, and I’m thrilled that we are removing these barriers for those who are trying to welcome a child.
Here’s a look at some of the other important legislation we passed this session:
EDUCATION
- The TEAACH Act will make Illinois the first state in the country to require Asian American history to be taught in public schools.
- Menstruation products will be required in all public school bathrooms.
- Seclusions and restraints will no longer be tolerated in our schools.
- The Keeping Youth Safe and Health Act requires comprehensive sex education starting in July 2023.
- The Jett Hawkins’ Act prohibits schools from discriminating against hairstyles, specifically those that are often fashioned by students of color.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
- We passed a criminal justice trailer bill to clarify the duty to intervene, restrictions on deadly force, chokeholds, crowd control, body cameras, no-knock warrants, and other measures for police accountability.
- Illinois also passed major immigration legislation that greatly limits immigrant detention and gives Cook County public defenders the authority to represent immigrants facing deportation.
BETTERING ILLINOIS
- We also passed a budget that gets Illinois’ financial health back on the right track and our political ethics omnibus bill to rebuild the public’s trust in our elected officials and the political process.
Have a safe and healthy start of summer! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 773-348-8974 or info@repcroke.com.