SR0865 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0865 LRB103 39990 MST 71251 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The United States commemorates National Women's History Month every March to recognize and honor the contributions of women throughout the history of the United States and the women making history now; and

WHEREAS, Latinas contribute to the cultural, economic, and political power of the United States; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 30,000,000 Latinas living in the United States, and 1,120,000 Latinas live in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Latinas continue to be greatly underrepresented in elected office; and

WHEREAS, Latinas represent 9.3% of the United States population but only 3% of elected officeholders in state and federal offices across the country; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is a model for supporting and electing Latinas; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has significantly increased the representation of Latinas at all levels of government by electing the diverse and powerful Latinas of Illinois' Third Congressional District, including Village of Franklin Park Clerk April Arellano, Village of Addison Trustee Maria Reyes, Bensenville Village Trustee Rosa Carmona, Hanover Township Trustee Denise Noyola, Assistant City Manager of Elgin Karina Nava, Council Member for the City of Elgin Rosamaria Martinez, Alderperson Ruth Cruz, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, Alderperson Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Board Commissioner Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, State Representative Eva Dina Delgado, State Representative Lilian Jimenez, State Representative Norma Hernandez, State Senator Karina Villa, State Senator Natalie Toro, State Senator Cristina Castro, and U.S. Representative Delia C. Ramirez; and

WHEREAS, Additional Latinas of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus include State Senator Celina Villenueva, State Representative Barbara Hernandez, State Representative Dagmara Avelar, and State Representative Angelica Guerrero Cuellar; and

WHEREAS, Many of the Latinas elected to their positions are the first Latinas in their roles or the first Latinas to serve in their communities; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois elected State Representative Elizabeth Hernandez, the highest ranking and longest serving Latina in the Illinois State Assembly, to chair the Illinois Democratic Party, and in that position, she continues to ensure that Latinas are represented and recognized in political positions; and

WHEREAS, The work of the dedicated Latinas of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus has resulted in successful legislative action on health equity, Latino representation, economic justice, education, immigration, and language access to address the needs of Latinos in all areas of the State; and

WHEREAS, The work of Latinas at all levels of government in the State of Illinois has resulted in the codification of women's rights and the expansion of healthcare for undocumented people; and

WHEREAS, The grassroots, organizing, and political participation of Latinas resulted in the election of the first Latina from the Midwest to Congress; and

WHEREAS, The voices, lived experiences, and contributions of Latinas in the State of Illinois continue to have long lasting, positive impacts for the communities that they serve; and

WHEREAS, Latinas representing Latinas is necessary to build a multicultural, multigenerational movement that acknowledges the shared humanity of others; and

WHEREAS, Significant progress has been made to increase the representation of Latinas in all decision-making spaces; and

WHEREAS, There is still work that needs to be done until we achieve equitable representation of Latinas in all sectors, industries, and leadership roles; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we celebrate the impact and contributions of contemporary Latinas in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the value of Latinas and the essential role they play in our multicultural, multigenerational democracy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the importance of accurate and timely data on Latinas living in the United States and the role that the U.S. Census Bureau plays in delivering data that impacts the political and economic power and influence of Latinas.