Leader Delia Ramirez Responds to Governor’s Budget Address

February 17, 2021 - SPRINGFIELD, Ill.

Leader Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, issued the following statement after Gov. Pritzker’s budget address:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of our lives, and our state budget is no exception. People are grappling with drained savings, record unemployment, housing and food insecurity, widespread trauma, and survival needs. Over the last year, states like Illinois were largely abandoned by the federal government under the Trump administration. The Biden administration must do better.

Now more than ever, the people of Illinois are relying on us to pass a budget that invests in areas of greatest need and doesn’t short change vital services. The pandemic has exhausted our already under-resourced social safety net. Decades of disinvestment and policies pushed by big corporations and the wealthy, have left working families and communities of color especially vulnerable to the pandemic. Corporations and the wealthiest individuals have increased their wealth massively during this public health crisis. Income inequality continues to grow at alarming rates. It’s time we ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share towards the services our communities need.

We must provide our public schools the funds that were promised when the legislature created a new more equitable funding formula. We need to strengthen and increase investment for programs and social services that are holding communities together and serving people on the frontlines of this crisis. We need a budget that meets the challenges of the pandemic by investing directly in our communities. The Governor’s budget proposal is a starting point to this conversation but I believe we can and should, do more. Closing $900 million in corporate loopholes is a good step, but we must also look at other forms of generating progressive revenue, instead of making any cuts to vital services.

I will continue to stand for a budget that protects and invests in those who have been hardest hit by this pandemic: Black and brown communities, individuals who have lost their employment due to COVID, families experiencing housing insecurity during the pandemic, undocumented immigrants who have been left out of relief programs, small business owners who have been devastated by the necessary shutdowns, and frontline and essential workers. These groups have sacrificed and lost enough during this pandemic, it's time we ask the wealthy to pay their fair share.”

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Rep. Ramirez' Appointment to Assistant Majority Leader

January 21, 2021 - SPRINGFIELD, Ill.

Thursday morning Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced the members of his House Democratic leadership team, a diverse set of legislators to advance the policies of his new administration. State Representative Delia C. Ramirez, D-Chicago, has been appointed to the role of Assistant Majority Leader.

Some highlights of Rep. Ramirez’ work during her first full term in the General Assembly include:

● Championing housing rights at the state level where her advocacy has led to 1) securing $200 million for the development of affordable housing in the 2019 Capital budget 2) appropriating $396 million for emergency rental and mortgage assistance during the Spring 2020 emergency legislative session and 3) passing emergency legislation in the House that would protect people at risk of losing their homes during the pandemic;

● Fighting for immigrant communities, specifically leading on a historic measure to become the first state in the country to expand healthcare access to undocumented seniors;

● Protecting children and families as the Acting Chair of the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, and by leading a statewide Task Force to address issues that impact Children of Incarcerated Parents.

“I am honored to work with Speaker Welch as he begins the hard job of leading our chamber and state through this difficult moment. I am thankful to my Latino Caucus colleagues who have entrusted me with this responsibility. We accomplished historic and much needed reforms advancing equity, opportunity, and justice in our state during the lame duck session. With Speaker Welch’s leadership and his commitment to collaboration, diversity, and transparency, it is my hope that we can deliver even more for the people of Illinois.” Ramirez said.

“Our state is in desperate straits as we grapple with multiple crises, and our residents need immediate relief and proactive policy solutions. I am ready and eager to do my part to tackle these challenges in service of the millions of Illinoisians depending on us.”

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Lame Duck Session, Speaker Welch, & Inauguration

January 14, 2021 - SPRINGFIELD, Ill.

State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, was sworn in for her second term as State Representative for the 4th Illinois House District this Wednesday at the conclusion of the lame duck session, during which her work focused primarily on housing security and criminal justice reform.

Ramirez released the following statement:

“Over these last days of the previous legislative session, Illinois has made tremendous progress towards a more just and hopeful future, in large part through correcting the mistakes of our past. I first wish to congratulate State Representative Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch on his election to House Speaker this Wednesday. He is an experienced, fair, collaborative, and grounded leader, with a record of progressive advocacy for all Illinoisians. The inauguration of the first Black Speaker in Illinois’ 202-year history is a promising move for our state, that I am proud to have had a role in. Empowering leaders of color at all levels of government is an essential aspect in achieving racial equality.

“Still, Illinois undoubtedly grapples with a crisis of systemic racism. That is why new legislation reforming our criminal justice system is so necessary. For far too long, black and brown members of our communities have endured prejudice and unequal treatment by law enforcement and our justice system. I am especially encouraged by the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which will end cash bail in Illinois; a practice which packed our jails with countless people not convicted of a crime, most of whom are Black and Latinx.

“We have also achieved reforms expanding housing rights. SB1980, which passed as part of the Black Caucus economic justice pillar, will ensure that people with a record have fair access to public housing. I was proud to be the original sponsor of this important legislation."

"I am disappointed that SB3066, our desperately-needed emergency housing legislation to provide eviction protections and a stay on foreclosure proceedings, was not called for a vote by Senate leadership. I am grateful for the overwhelming support shown by my colleagues in the House, however, and will make sure this is a top priority for the 102nd General Assembly. This session has overall yielded significant progress for housing rights in Illinois and I look forward to building on this work in the coming session.”

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