- Published: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 02:03 PM
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Dear friend,
As we mourn the death of Adam Toledo, I joined with members of the Latino and Black Caucuses to issue a statement last week. I stand with them in mourning Adam and sending love to his family.
No parent ever brings a child into the world expecting the outcome we witnessed in a video broadcasted on all media platforms.
A child’s life in Little Village was violently and abruptly taken by the same law enforcement system that protected and justified the deadly actions of Kyle Rittenhouse, another child who openly killed protestors in the wake of another police shooting.
The opportunities afforded to each of these children are vastly different and determined by the conditions they were born into, the racial identity ascribed to them, and the choices offered based on their conditions and identity.
I join Adam’s family and all of Chicago in calling for justice for him.
You can volunteer to help get 1,000 people vaccinated!
If you have the time to get on the phone and reach out to our neighbors who need the vaccine the most, I urge you to help out by registering for a vaccine volunteer shift here. We only have a week to sign folks up, so please join us for phone-banking shifts the week before our April 30 clinic to help register people for appointments. There will be a brief training at the beginning of each phone bank to familiarize you with the process.
What you need to know about Chicago Public Schools’ reopening plans
Today marks the beginning of CPS’ new remote and in-person learning models. As we continue to observe pandemic safety measures, it’s important to know what the school day will entail, whether your student is attending school in person or learning from home. You can access comprehensive guides at their website here.
Start your application for early learning this Wednesday, April 21
The time has come to start thinking about your child's options for early learning. Applications will open this coming Wednesday, but you can start finding providers in your area right now by entering your address here and seeing what’s available. You can also call 312-229-1690 with questions about preschool programs for your 3- or 4-year-old.
Join me April 28 for my monthly virtual town hall
This month, we’ll be talking about the ongoing legislative process and inviting Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, to speak about the state budget process. You can follow on Facebook Live at my Facebook page or, if you need simultaneous Spanish translation, be sure to sign up to receive the Zoom link here. I hope to see you there!
Be a part of the Puerto Rican Health Summit
There’s still time to register for the Puerto Rican Health Summit. Meeting tomorrow and Thursday, April 21 and 22, this virtual symposium offers an opportunity to talk about the social and health inequities of Puerto Ricans and their resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Learn more here and register at https://puertoricanhealthsummit.com/.
In solidarity,
Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Ph.D.
State Senator, 20th Illinois Senate District
