Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) joined his collegues in remembering those who lost their lives while serving in the military.

"Memorial Day is for the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. God bless them, God bless their families and most of all God bless America," Munoz said during a speech on the Senate Floor.

Listen to Munoz's full remarks:

Every year, hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state gather at the Illinois State Capitol to honor officers who lost their lives on duty.

“It shows the surviving families that we do care,” former police officer Senator Tony Munoz said. “Policehood is a brotherhood for all officers, and it’s great that we show and honor them on days like today, the police memorial.”  

This year’s honoree, Officer Jim Morrissy was killed when his patrol car was struck by another vehicle while responding to backup another officer at a domestic dispute call.

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State Senator Tony Munoz’s (D-Chicago) legislation that would add cigarettes that don’t bear a city or county tax stamp to the definition of “contraband cigarettes” was approved by the Senate today.

“The sale of untaxed cigarettes does our community a disservice,” Munoz said. “The practice of selling contraband cigarettes is irresponsible and only attracts violence and crime to our neighborhoods.”

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Many at-risk children never make it out of violent and impoverished neighborhoods. After school programs like Teen REACH were created to educate children and keep them out of trouble.

Unfortunately, Governor Bruce Rauner seems to believe Teen REACH is a non-essential program. He recently eliminated the funding for the rest of this state budget year. He then eliminates it altogether in the next state budget.

Both moves are mistakes.

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