Welcome to Lakesia Collins Legislative Website
A Call to Action from Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Joint Chairwoman State Senator Lakesia Collins D-5
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To my fellow Illinoisans:
The ground beneath our democracy has shifted, and we must wake up before the progress of the last sixty years is completely buried. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to eviscerate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is not just a legal setback; it is a calculated erasure of the history written in the blood of our ancestors. When our elders marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965, they weren’t just fighting for a ballot; they were fighting for representation—the right to have a seat at the table where decisions about our schools, our housing, our healthcare, and our economic survival are made.
By dismantling Section 2, the federal government has effectively signaled that Black political power is no longer a protected right, but a "gift" that can be snatched away by partisan legislatures. The facts released by the ACLU are staggering and demand our immediate attention. Their findings confirm that this ruling creates a "nearly insurmountable" legal barrier by requiring us to prove discriminatory intent rather than just discriminatory effect. This is a "permission slip" for states to "crack and pack" our communities, diluting our voices until they are a whisper. For Black Americans, this means a catastrophic loss of representation—a "leap backwards" that threatens to return us to the era of Jim Crow tactics. In Illinois, while we have stood strong, we are no longer shielded by the federal government.
Collins moves measure to remove treatment barriers for seniors
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SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to remove barriers, State Senator Lakesia Collins is moving legislation that would ensure older adults could continue seeing their preferred mental health care providers.
“When seniors get to stay with their doctors, they get to keep existing relationships that make health care easier for all,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “By allowing psychologists to continue with their patients after their 65th birthday, we are ensuring the patient-doctor relationship can continue treatment and ensure the safety of Illinois residents.”
Currently, prescribing psychologists are limited to treating patients over the age of 17 and under the age of 65. In practice, this can lead to older adults being forced to seek new doctors when they turn 65.
Read more: Collins moves measure to remove treatment barriers for seniors
Collins applauds new jobs coming to the 5th District through Mars Snacking expansion
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CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins is applauding a new investment from Mars Snacking that will bring jobs and economic growth to the 5th District, strengthening the local economy and creating new opportunities for working families.
“This investment is a significant win for our community,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “When a global company like Mars Snacking chooses to grow right here in our backyard, it means new jobs and long-term confidence in our workforce, our infrastructure and our future.”
Mars Snacking will open a new North America regional office hub in Chicago’s Fulton Market district, with capacity for more than 1,000 jobs. The Accelerator division will also establish a new global office hub in downtown Chicago, taking over the former Kellanova global and North America headquarters.
Read more: Collins applauds new jobs coming to the 5th District through Mars Snacking expansion
Collins pushes for more supports for youth transitioning to independence
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SPRINGFIELD – As a former youth in care, State Senator Lakesia Collins is moving legislation to support young people’s transitions to independence by ensuring information about transitional services is communicated to youth in a clear and timely manner.
“Many young people in foster care do not receive the proper support they need to transition into adulthood and have to work that much harder to overcome barriers to simply living their life,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “It is vital for the state to continue monitoring evidence-based approaches that work for today’s youth, ensuring they have all the support they need to succeed and thrive.”
Under Collins’ bill, Senate Bill 3196, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services would be required to consult with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board when developing rules concerning transition planning for youth aging out of care, evaluation of existing programs and identification of new programming to support youth transitions to independence. The SYAB would also advise DCFS on how this information should be communicated to youth in a clear, timely and age-appropriate manner.
Read more: Collins pushes for more supports for youth transitioning to independence
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