IL HR0866

Acknowledges 300 years of slavery and systemic discrimination against people of African descent in Illinois, beginning with forced labor in 1720 through salt mining, lead mining, and agricultural work across 30+ counties.

Documents historical injustices including Black Codes, the 1853 Black Law (harshest in Northern states), Jim Crow laws, redlining, restrictive covenants, and racial violence including the 1908 Springfield and 1917 East St. Louis race riots.

Calls for the Governor to immediately implement the Equitable Economic Land Use Plan of 2020 to drastically improve housing, infrastructure, and community conditions in low-income areas with African American populations.

Requests legislation and executive orders authorizing funding for housing construction, down payment assistance, property tax relief, mortgage underwriting, land acquisition via eminent domain, microgrids, broadband, and community facilities in designated census tracts.

Directs renaming of Menard Correctional Center to Southern Illinois Penitentiary due to the slaveowner history of Pierre Menard.