Senator Sims shares Juneteenth message

Today is Juneteenth. On this day in 1865, the last group of slaves in Galveston, Texas finally got word that slavery had ended. That was two and half years after President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation.

We all know that African Americans will not truly be free until we end the institutional racism that is plaguing our state and country. Let's continue to work toward true equality and justice. A good first step is to be counted. Learn more and complete your census survey today: https://my2020census.gov/ 

Juneteenth 2020 Census and Free Lunch Give-a-way

Join us for a Juneteenth Celebration this FRIDAY, 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. at 83rd and Ellis. Free lunch, masks and census outreach!

Chicago Resiliency Fund application period starts June 22

The Chicago Resiliency Fund is a cash assistance program to support Chicago residents who were excluded from federal stimulus aid in response to COVID-19. The fund will provide $1,000 per household for eligible Chicagoans. Applications will begin to be accepted on June 22. Details and application are here: https://resurrectionproject.org/chicagofund/

State budget provides desperately needed resources in midst of pandemic

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor signed the budget on Wednesday:

“My colleagues and I went back to Springfield with the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic heavy on our shoulders. We strived to pass a budget that would maintain our core services while also directing resources to help communities and businesses who have been devastated as a result of the virus.

“This budget does exactly that by preserving P-12 education with a $12.6 billion investment.

“We are using funds from the CARES Act stimulus package to provide more resources to communities who are struggling during the pandemic. That includes $100 million in housing assistance and $636 million in business interruption grants.

“And to protect our communities during this health crisis, $1 billion dollars will go to our local and state health departments.

“The budget was extremely difficult to craft in these unprecedented times, but I believe it will provide desperately needed relief to communities as we continue on a path toward recovery.”

Senate Bill 264 takes effect July 1.