Dear Friends and Neighbors:
We have been hard at work so far in 2023. In the first few days of the year, we closed out the 102nd General Assembly, ending a legislative term filled with unique challenges and historic changes.
Just two years ago, in January 2021, we began the 102nd General Assembly meeting in the cavernous Bank of Springfield Convention Center, with our desks six feet apart amid an ongoing pandemic. Along with 18 of my colleagues, I pushed for new leadership in the Illinois House and welcomed Emanuel “Chris” Welch as the first black Speaker to guide us through a challenging time of transition – and accomplishment. We established Illinois as a global leader in clean energy through passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and passed a sweeping criminal justice reform package. We supported small businesses and our healthcare system through unprecedented times, balanced our budget and earned six credit rating boosts as a state. It was a whirlwind few years.
The end of the 102nd GA – the remaining few days in January referred to as the ‘lame duck’ session – was no different. We wrapped up the session by passing an assault weapons ban, increasing access to reproductive healthcare and gender affirming care, ramping up renewable development as a follow-up to CEJA, providing for greater investment in the revenue-generating tourism and hospitality industries, and more.
Just hours after the ‘lame duck’ session adjourned, I was sworn in to the 103rd General Assembly to represent the newly-drawn 11th District. Every 10 years, following the census, legislative district boundaries are redrawn to accommodate population shifts. While the heart of the District remains the same, the updated boundaries mean I will now represent parts of the North Halsted Business District, Wrigleyville and Buena Park. In the coming months, I look forward to meeting with and hearing from my new constituents. Please click here to view a complete map of the updated 11th district.
I am also excited to report that I was appointed by Speaker Welch to serve as an Assistant Floor Whip, a new role in the House Democratic caucus. Additionally, I will continue as Chair of the House Energy & Environment committee and look forward to working with community partners, environmental advocates and my colleagues to advance a robust environmental and clean energy agenda this year.
To see more on this year’s legislative update please visit New Legislative Session Begins! (mailchi.mp)