Quinn Signs Law to Strengthen African American Family Commission | The Chicago Defender: CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn signed today a new law to strengthen the Illinois African American Family Commission. The Governor signed the legislation at the Quinn Chapel AME Church, the oldest African-American congregation in Chicago. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all Illinois residents.
“The Civil Rights Act was signed 50 years ago and proved that working hard for what you believe in can change the world,” Governor Quinn said. “History shows that in the fight against injustice, justice will always prevail. This new law is the latest of many steps in the long journey toward true equality in Illinois.”
Senate Bill 121, sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and State Representative Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), expands the African American Family Commission’s role to include monitoring legislation and developing programs to address the needs of African Americans in Illinois. The new law also updates official statistics concerning education, employment, income and health and adds additional state agencies to the commission to assist with implementing the commission’s recommendations. The new law is effective Jan. 1, 2015.
