URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission held a public hearing Saturday at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. The event brought together local leaders, professors, researchers, and community members to discuss the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery on African American descendants in Illinois.

The Urbana stop is one of several planned across the state as the Commission works toward developing a report for the General Assembly. That report, due next year, will outline findings and policy recommendations aimed at ensuring equity and opportunity for African American communities.

Established by state law in 2021, the Commission is part of the Department of Central Management Services and is composed of state officials, public members, and reparations advocates—most of whom must be descendants of enslaved people. It is one of only a few such commissions in the country.

Champaign County Recorder of Deeds/County Clerk Aaron Ammons was one of many speakers at the event, including Associate Professor Sundiata Keita Cha-Jua, and State Representative Carol Ammons. Its responsibilities include holding hearings, educating the public, and addressing issues such as equitable access to housing, vocational training, state contracts, and corporate accountability for historical ties to slavery. The Commission must submit annual reports to the Governor and legislature, with findings made available to the public online.

Officials say the input gathered from events like Saturday’s will be crucial in shaping future policy proposals.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart will welcome House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch to the Metro East, for a tour of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) on Wednesday, October 1. Stuart and Welch will hold a media availability at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) on the SIUE campus, 400 University Park Drive in Edwardsville, at 3:00 p.m.

“We are prioritizing the assessment of the needs of our higher learning institutions,” said Stuart. “Direct engagement with students, faculty, and administration is an effective approach to uncover possible opportunities in higher education.”

Stuart and Welch’s tour will highlight the important role SIUE plays in the local economy and the state’s higher education system, as well as the agricultural and energy innovations happening at NCERC.

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OTTAWA, Ill. – As the only open neurodivergent member of the General Assembly, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, sat down Wednesday with 103.9 WLPO Morning Show’s Rod & Tom to discuss being autistic and what it’s like to be on the spectrum, along with a series of other healthcare topics.

“It’s always an honor to sit down with local folks like Rod and Tom from WLPO to have an in- depth and educational conversation on autism, being on the spectrum and daily life for not only me but so many others who share similar characteristics and qualities,” said Briel. “There are so many unknowns in our healthcare system right now, from federal threats to reliable services to questions on state funding and if we’re doing all we can to support our residents. So, I’m always glad to sit down and talk with people in my community about where we’re missing the mark, what we value and how we can advocate for not some—but all.”

Those interested in tuning into the recent episode can find it on Starved Rock Media Station, here: Rod Talks With Rep. Briel About Autism And Other Health Topics | 103.9 WLPO | starvedrock.media

During the General Assembly’s summer break, 97th District State Rep. Harry Benton (Plainfield) has stayed fairly busy, as he worked with interns on gathering feedback from constituents as well as working on ideas for legislation. He says one of the interns worked with him on a bill that would help college students dealing with a mental health issue.

House Bill 4111 was filed by Benton on September 2 and would amend the Public Higher Education Act, requiring public universities in the state to offer full refunds on tuition and prorated refunds on room and board costs paid by the student or their family if a student leaves the university under extenuating circumstances during an active semester.

"One of my interns came up with a great idea and we worked together on it, changed some language, and ended up getting it filed to try to help out with some students that are going through mental health concerns. And if they end up leaving college or a university that they don’t get charged for that semester if they leave within a certain amount of time because that’s just one more financial burden that they put on themselves while they’re already going through something."

Benton says he spoke to a student who told him about leaving school following the death of one of his classmates and good friends, and he had lost out on his tuition costs as a result of leaving during the school year. Benton says this bill will help alleviate the financial burden that students would face while they are dealing with other personal issues.