State
Rep. Monique Davis, D-27th Dist., recently sponsored and got passed state
legislation that would study the plight of African Americans in this state.
PA
97-0460 authorizes the assembly of a Commission to End the Disparities Facing
the African American Community Act to look at health, employment criminal
justice, education and other issues besetting African American Illinoisans. The
commission would be empowered to make suggestions on how to make things better
after holding at least one public hearing. It would report to the General
Assembly on its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2013, the new law -
signed by Gov. Quinn - mandates.
Davis
told the Defender that the legislation was necessary because, “conditions are
not being addressed that affect my community.” When it comes to reports on
various issues, she said African Americans are usually on the negative end of
the outcomes.
“Every
statistic that's ever given, if it it's something good we're at the bottom, if
it's something bad we're at the top,” she said. “This does not have to be the
case.”
The act
expires July 1, 2014.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
