SPRINGFIELD – Illinois joined a coalition of 18 states, 16 local governments and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in challenging the federal government’s attempt to add a question about citizenship to the 2020 Census. Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Adding a citizenship question on the 2020 Census only serves to frighten our immigrant communities and deter the participation of minority communities. These populations are already undercounted and could lose out on more vital services due to the divisive policies being put forth by the Trump Administration. In turn, that will cause problems for all Americans as our policies fail to reflect demographic realities.

“I stand with Attorney General Raoul in fighting for the rights of immigrant and minority communities. We need to make sure everyone is counted for the sake of all communities across our state and country.”

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Trump Administration’s appeal of a federal district judge’s ruling barring the question from being asked on April 23.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is leading legislation in response to an oversight by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that left McKinley Park residents blindsided by the construction of an asphalt plant in their neighborhood.

“The public has every right to know when a facility that may affect their health is moving into their community,” Munoz said. “There is no reason why McKinley Park residents weren’t given ample notice regarding the asphalt plant, and we don’t want to see another community put in the same situation.”

Last year, McKinley Park residents received only a two week notice before construction on an asphalt plant began. Munoz held a town hall in July to discuss the issue with the community resulting in the legislation that was approved in the Senate on Thursday.

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SPRINGFIELD – El líder asistente a la mayoría del Senado de Illinois, Antonio “Tony” Muñoz (D-Chicago), lideró una legislación que responde a un error de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Illinois que dejó en la oscuridad a los residentes de McKinley Park sobre la construcción de una planta de asfalto en su vecindario.

“El público tiene todo el derecho de saber cuándo una compañía que puede afectar su salud si muda a su comunidad”, dijo Muñoz. “No hay justificación del porqué los residentes de McKinley Park no fueron notificados ampliamente, y no queremos ver a otras comunidades en la misma situación”.

El año pasado, los residentes de McKinley Park fueron notificados sólo dos semanas antes de que comenzara la construcción de la planta. Muñoz organizó una junta comunitaria en julio pasado para hablar con la comunidad sobre el asunto, conversación que dio pie a la legislación que acaba de aprobar el Senado.

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SPRINGFIELD – More veteran-owned businesses would secure state contracts under a measure sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“We need to do our best to foster veteran-owned businesses in our state,” Munoz said. “This is a valuable commitment to veterans who are establishing themselves after serving our country.”

Senate Bill 1680 allows chief procurement officers to set aside a fair proportion of construction, supply or service contracts for veteran-owned businesses, and was approved by the Senate on Thursday.

Currently, state agencies have a goal of awarding at least 3 percent of state contracts to veteran-owned businesses.

In order to be considered a veteran-owned or disabled veteran-owned business, it must be at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans.

The proposal heads to the House consideration.