CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced Monday the opening of two new Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, which play a critical role in providing businesses with support needed to enter the world of government contracting. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is celebrating the opportunities the centers will bring to the Southside.

“The world of government contracting can be difficult to break into, especially for minority business owners,” Hunter said. “The implementation of these new procurement centers will play a crucial part in equipping businesses with the support necessary to tap into this market."

CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) released the following statement Monday commending Attorney General Kwame Y. Raoul for challenging the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s rule that exempts buyers of high-interest loans from state interest-rate caps.

“Illinois has worked diligently for years to ensure our residents aren’t victims of predatory lenders that target low-income and minority residents. Lenders should not be able to take advantage of our state’s most vulnerable consumers.

“The FDIC’s rule is just another attempt to allow predatory lenders to profit at the expense of the people who can least afford it. I thank Attorney General Raoul for his effort to overturn it.”

SPRINGFIELD—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) responded to an incident in Kenosha, Wisc. where officers shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times at point blank range. The footage of the Sunday afternoon shooting has been shared widely, and has continued protests against police brutality across the country. Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the ILBC Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood released the following statement:

“Mr. Blake exemplified community by taking the initiative to deescalate a domestic dispute, and somehow he ended up being shot by an officer multiple times. I do not know how to explain that, but I do know that this is not what public safety looks like.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to congratulate the University of Illinois for their innovative work to create a saliva test for COVID-19, which is now operating under FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

“I am so proud of the University of Illinois for their innovation and commitment to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bennett said. “As the need for testing continues to grow, this is a tremendous step toward making testing easier and more accessible, not just in Illinois, but across the country.”