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Springfield hosts first downstate hearing on redistricting

Friday, 08 April 2011 Senate Democratic Caucus Staff

altThis week the Senate Redistricting Committee held its first downstate hearing in Springfield at the Capitol. Chairman Kwame Raoul and committee members heard testimony from representatives of a variety of groups voicing concerns about where new legislative district lines will be drawn.

This second hearing lasted just under two hours and the committee heard testimony from Chicago minority communities and downstate counties concerned about keeping their communities intact. Southern Illinois residents said some counties are represented by so many lawmakers in Springfield and Washington that people are confused and election officials have difficulty producing accurate ballots.

Minority community representatives also asked for their populations to be kept intact so that their political voice retains impact.

On April 16, the Senate’s Redistricting Committee will be traveling to Peoria and Kankakee to receive input from the public on what congressional and state legislative maps should look like.

The Peoria hearing will take place at 10:00 am at the Peoria Red Cross at 311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Avenue. The Kankakee hearing will take place in the Iroquois Room (D152) at Kankakee Community College at noon.

Citizens seeking to testify should send an email to redistricting@senatedem.ilga.gov to reserve a place on the agenda. However, individuals not on the agenda will also be given the opportunity to testify.

 

Raoul Announces First Round of Redistricting Hearings

Friday, 18 March 2011 Senate Democratic Caucus Staff

Also announces launch of Redistricting Web site

CHICAGO — In the spirit of the recently signed Redistricting Transparency and Public Participation Act, Redistricting Chairman Kwame Raoul is announcing legislative hearings to solicit public input in the redistricting process.

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Raoul travels to Haiti, helps nation still in ruins

Thursday, 24 February 2011 Senate Democratic Caucus Staff

Haitian-American State Senator works with Chicago Coalition to Rebuild Hospital

altMore than a year has passed since Haiti was devastated by a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake. State Senator Kwame Raoul recently traveled to the nation with a Chicago-based coalition to help resurrect one of its facilities, Grace Children’s Hospital (GCH). When rebuilt, the hospital will provide needed care and services to the children of Haiti.

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Raoul Sponsors Resolution to Eliminate Treasurer's Office (AUDIO)

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 Raoul Staff

Measure would lead to cost savings for Illinois Taxpayers

CHICAGO, IL — Days before the Governor gives his annual budget address State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) spoke during a press conference on an amendment he is sponsoring to eliminate the State Treasurer’s Office. This bi-partisan effort would lead to cost savings for Illinois taxpayers of approximately $12 million annually.

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Redistricting Reform Package Passes Senate

Wednesday, 01 December 2010 Raoul Staff

The Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2011 and Redistricting Transparency and Public Participation Act will serve as a game changer in the upcoming redistricting process.

“The Senate’s Redistricting Committee has taken redistricting reform very seriously since its creation. Republicans and Democrats weren’t able to agree on a constitutional amendment this spring but it’s good to see the Senate pass legislation on a bipartisan basis today to change the status quo,” said Senate Redistricting Chair Kwame Raoul. “This legislation will protect minority voting rights and encourage public participation.”

The Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2011 will seek to augment the Constitution through state statute by establishing

  • crossover districts – a district where a racial or language minority is not a numerical majority of the electorate but can potentially elect its preferred candidate by persuading enough majority voters to cross over to support the minority’s preferred candidate
  • coalition districts – a district where more than one minority group, working in coalition can form a majority to elect their preferred candidates
  • influence districts – a district where a minority community is not large enough to elect a candidate of its choice but is able to influence the outcome of an election and elect a candidate who will be responsive to the interests and concerns of their community

The Redistricting Transparency and Public Participation Act will open the redistricting process to all Illinoisans by establishing public hearing requirements.

If passed by the Illinois House of Representatives, the legislation (SB 3976) will mark the first time since the 1970 Constitutional Convention that reforms have been made to the map drawing process. Last spring, the Citizen’s First Amendment failed to be placed on the ballot due to a lack of support by House Republicans. Despite disappointment by Senate Democrats who worked for months on the proposal, the new redistricting reform legislation will give the people of Illinois another opportunity to be involved in the redistricting process.

“If we were insincere about our efforts we could have just ended the redistricting reform conversation in May; however, we’re coming back to the table with another proposal aimed at ensuring we get a law that’s better than the status quo,” Raoul said. “There isn’t a reason to not support this bill.”

 

Raoul: McCormick Place Reforms are Working (AUDIO)

Wednesday, 24 November 2010 Raoul Staff

State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) believes that the reforms passed by the General Assembly are a significant reason that McCormick Place is attracting business.

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3000+ Jobs Come to Lisle with Navistar Announcement

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 Raoul Staff

Today’s press conference announcing Navistar International’s decision to locate its company headquarters in Lisle brings welcome news to DuPage County and Illinois.

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Newest Campaign Reform Law Pairs Gov and Lt. Gov Candidates

Tuesday, 13 July 2010 Raoul Staff

A new law sponsored by State Sen. Kwame Raoul will require candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor to campaign jointly beginning with the state’s nominating petition process in future elections.

The law will provide substantial reform and accountability to elections for the Lt. Governor post which has come under high scrutiny since candidates Scott Lee Cohen and Jason Plummer won Illinois’ 2010 primary.

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Raoul Comments on Senate’s Override of Quinn’s Veto of McPier Reform (AUDIO)

Tuesday, 08 June 2010 Raoul Staff

Governor Quinn’s veto of reforms to change the way McPier operates and save Illinois jobs were overridden by the legislature today.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul, whose district encompasses McCormick Place, has been a strong advocate for the bill commented on the legislature’s action.

 

 

To hear Raoul’s comments click below:

Audio Comments

{play}phocadownload/audio/Raoul/raoul-mcpieroverride052810.mp3{/play}

 

Raoul Earns Honorary Doctoral Degree for his Vision and Leadership

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 Raoul Staff

State Senator Kwame Raoul received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at the 2010 commencement of the Illinois College of Optometry.

Raoul received the honorary degree at the institution’s commencement ceremony on May 22nd at the Rockefeller Chapel on the campus of the University of Chicago. Raoul, whose district encompasses the Illinois College of Optometry, went on to deliver an inspirational and spirited address to the graduating class.

The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world’s leading urban optometric institutions. Since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, ICO has offered aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession alike. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu