State’s Black Mayors and Elected Officials Convene in Springfield for Inaugural ‘Advocacy in Action’ Meeting
State’s Black Mayors and Elected Officials Convene in Springfield for Inaugural ‘Advocacy in Action’ Meeting (Springfield, IL) — The Illinois Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (IBC-LEO) met with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) in Springfield, IL last week to discuss legislation such as the new proposal on the elimination of grocery tax, infrastructure, capital projects, comprehensive strategic planning, and climate efficiency sustainability. IBC-LEO shares nearly 50 Black Mayors across the 1,300 cities, towns, and villages in the State of Illinois. 25 of those mayors were represented well at the Inaugural Advocacy in Action meeting in Springfield hosted by the Chicago Southland Black Chamber of Commerce.
House Chair of ILBC, IL-103rd Representative Carol Ammons greeted IBC-LEO and shared, “The stability and progress that was mentioned by Governor Pritzker has helped many communities, but we expect that help to trickle down to the Black community.” Representative Ammons continued, “Our goal is to not just put it into the budget, but to get it out to our communities. We look forward to redressing investments in the Black community, because as we invest in the Black community everyone knows that is an investment all other communities benefit from.”
State Legislators IL-9th Senator Lakesia Collins, IL-30th Senator Adriane Johnson, IL-6th Representative Sonya Harper, and IL-38th Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin all shared with IBC-LEO great opportunities that exist with more intention and unity. During the convening, IBC-LEO 2nd Vice President, Mayor Vernard L. Alsberry Jr. of the Village of Hazel Crest, and IBC-LEO Parliamentarian, Mayor Katrina Thompson of the Village of Broadview, were vocal in the discussion on the elimination of the grocery tax. Some communities present expressed a more than $1M hole it would bring to their budget asking, “What revenue is being proposed to replace the loss?”
“Since our last meeting with IBLC during their December 2023 Policy Summit at the inaugural mayor’s roundtable, we have been able to discuss multiple ways to collaborate on ensuring legislation and budgets reflect the needs of Black and disadvantaged communities said, IBC-LEO President, Mayor Nathaniel George Booker of the Village of Maywood. “Recently activated bills such SB850 will help food desserts flourish and HB342 with help empower schools with mental health and trauma tools. Our partnership is growing, and we will continue to focus on intentionally building healthy communities for Black and disadvantaged residents across Illinois.”
IBC-LEO launched in September of 2023 during the annual Illinois Municipal League conference in Chicago, IL. The group is dedicated to equipping elected officials, members and stakeholders with the support, tools, training, technical assistance and advocacy that facilitate their growth, development and leadership capacity to purposefully impact the nearly 1.8M Black residents of Illinois.
State’s Black Mayors and Elected Officials Convene in Springfield for Inaugural ‘Advocacy in Action’ Meeting
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