The members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus held a joint news conference at Wentworth and Garfield to announce priorities following nights of looting of local businesses.
Many of the members who joined the news conference spoke about the importance of the activism and continued activism but decried the ongoing destruction of community businesses that are driving South Side communities further into a lack of resources.
Fifth District State Representative Lamont Robinson explained that he sought refuge in his South Side insurance and legislative offices hoping to prevent looting.
“We know the Black community has been hit the hardest by COVID-19, the Black community has been hit the hardest by violence, the Black community has been hit the hardest by police brutality and the Black community has been hit the hardest by the recent looting and riots,” State Representative La Shawn Ford said.
The news conference ended with a passionate call for future peace by State Senator and Illinois Legislative Black Caucus joint chair Kimberly Lightford, who made sure to point out that she understood the frustration in the community from those who raged in the streets.
