SJ0067 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0067 LRB103 43159 MST 76421 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois aims to fulfill the promise of America, since before its founding, to be a land of possibility, prosperity, refuge, progress, and equality; and

WHEREAS, The diversity and richness of our society and our community grows, evolves, and finds new ways to contribute to our collective prosperity, innovation, and virtue; and

WHEREAS, Our diverse and protected communities have made invaluable contributions to the prosperity and well-being of Illinois, the United States, and the world; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is the home of the Great Emancipator and especially remembers and honors Abraham Lincoln for his role in righting the course of our nation, working to restore it to its ongoing promise of life and the pursuit of dignity, equality, and freedom for all; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' civil rights laws and protections lead among all of our nation's states; and

WHEREAS, As protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act, all citizens of and visitors to Illinois are entitled to the right of freedom from discrimination because of a person's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation (including gender identity), citizenship status and language restrictions in employment, arrest record in employment and housing, immigration status and source of income in housing, and more; and

WHEREAS, Prolonged harm and discrimination, including denial and violation of rights, committed against these groups and communities created a legacy of intolerance, inequality, discrimination, and, at times, hate; and

WHEREAS, America has yet to fulfill the entirety of its promise, committing injustices over the centuries since our founding against Black Americans, Native Americans, and other communities, which contributed to inequality and taught a legacy of hate to generations; and

WHEREAS, Hate and extremism have risen sharply in Illinois in the last five years, perpetuating the legacy of injustice and inequality; and

WHEREAS, Social division, conflict, grievance, resentment, and even targeted violence remain challenges and dangers for our nation, our State, and our polity; and

WHEREAS, Marginalized and underserved communities across the State continue to face discrimination, hardship, and hostility; and

WHEREAS, Rights established and guaranteed by Sections 17, 18, and 19 of Article I of the Illinois Constitution supersede any ordinance or law of any other unit of local government that prohibits, restricts, narrows, or limits the equality of any person; and

WHEREAS, The right to individual dignity free from depravity and hostility toward those connected by their identity or community shall not be tolerated at any level; and

WHEREAS, Economic prosperity and vitality, self-determination, and safety and security for these communities within Illinois ensure the fundamental human rights of all; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the protection of the fundamental human rights and dignity of all protected communities of Illinois is a policy priority of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support assistance for the humanitarian needs of and services for residents of Illinois, directed toward those with the greatest need; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support the effective representation of protected communities, which is essential to restoring and upholding the rights of these communities, in line with Article 1 of the Constitution of Illinois, which states "All persons shall have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national ancestry and sex.…"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we stand united with the people of Illinois against hate and intolerance and behind our shared form of life and values of universal humanity and dignity, the virtue of pluralism, and the strongest possible civil rights for all.