Rev. Jackson and Rainbow PUSH Coalition hails passage of HB3404

Rev. Jackson and Rainbow PUSH Coalition hails passage of HB3404 (Chicago, IL) – After months of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Rainbow PUSH Coalition officials convening meetings, reaching out to Illinois elected officials and talking to community leaders, the Illinois Senate has passed HB3404 establishing Pembroke Township as a designated hardship area which will allow a natural gas line to come through Pembroke and Hopkins Park.

It was Rev. Jackson who reached out to stakeholders including Nicor Gas officials who expressed a desire to have natural gas as an energy option.

The bill also allows the area to have natural gas in the area without the local government having to come up with the typical contribution that accompanies such projects.

Rev. Dr. S. Todd Yeary, Senior Vice President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Chief of Global Policy, testified during the bill hearings on behalf of the civil rights organization.

“This is a big deal and a new day for Pembroke, a black farming community that has been left behind in the modern economy,” said Rev. Jackson. “This project will help bring business to Pembroke, and it will help others do business with Pembroke. I thank Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch for his leadership on this issue.”

Dr. Yeary said, “At a time when everyone is focused on the next economy, Pembroke has been left behind in the current economy. This bi-partisan effort is a strong statement that Pembroke will be neglected no more. Thanks to Speaker Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, the bill sponsors, members of the Legislative Black Caucus and the General Assembly for listening to the people of Pembroke. We look forward to Gov. Pritzker signing the bill into law.