Governor signs four economic equity and opportunity bills

Posted on March 23, 2021
Gov. JB Pritzker signed four “economic equity” bills which are part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ legislative agenda. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – After two decades in Springfield, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) says she finally sees why she is dissatisfied driving home after every May 31.

She’s talking about “billions of dollars in a state budget that I vote vote for, but the impact – we never feel it in our communities.”

Lightford spoke before Gov. JB Pritzker signed four “economic equity” bills which are part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ legislative agenda.

The bills are to open up employment to more people with criminal records, expand access to state contracts, cap interest rates on so-called “predatory lending,” and improve access to public housing.

“We’re building a state government that looks like the people that it serves,” said the governor after signing the bill. “And that’s not just good public policy; it’s good for business, too.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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