HB 3247, Safe Schools for All passed the IL General Assembly! If signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, HB 3247 would protect access to an education for all students, regardless of immigration status. This law would further solidify Illinois’ reputation as a national leader in immigrant protections. “I am so proud of our state and our community of leaders and advocates who took this important step to protect our children and their right to an education and an environment where they feel safe and excited to learn,” said Erika Méndez, director of Pre-K-12 education policy at the Latino Policy Forum. “Once again, we have shown the country that Illinois is a state where everyone, regardless of their immigration status, is welcome and can feel included, valued, and respected.” A special thank you to Rep. Lilian Jiménez, Sen. Karina Villa, ICIRR and MALDEF for leading this effort and to the countless community members whose advocacy made this win possible. Read our joint statement here: https://bit.ly/3Hj2W9r ¡La HB 3247, Escuelas Seguras para Todos, fue aprobada por la Asamblea General de Illinois! Si es firmada como ley por el Gobernador J.B. Pritzker, la HB 3247 protegería el acceso a la educación para todos los estudiantes, independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Esta ley solidificaría aún más la reputación de Illinois como líder nacional en protecciones para inmigrantes. "Estoy muy orgullosa de nuestro estado y de nuestra comunidad de líderes y defensores que dieron este importante paso para proteger a nuestros niños y su derecho a la educación y a un ambiente donde se sientan seguros y emocionados de aprender", dijo Erika Méndez, directora de política educativa de Pre-K-12 en el Foro de Política Latina. "Una vez más, hemos demostrado al país que Illinois es un estado donde todos, independientemente de su estatus migratorio, son bienvenidos y pueden sentirse incluidos, valorados y respetados". Un agradecimiento especial a la Rep. Lilian Jiménez, la Sen. Karina Villa, ICIRR y MALDEF por liderar este esfuerzo y a los innumerables miembros de la comunidad cuya defensa hizo posible esta victoria. (fb)

Our dear friend, Richard J. Martinez, passed on Wednesday, May 28. He was a dear friend and longtime collaborator of the Latino Policy Forum, but also a beloved mentor to so many in our community. Through the Multicultural Leadership Academy and other initiatives throughout the country, Richard dedicated his life to nurturing the next generation of multicultural leaders. He had an extraordinary gift for seeing the potential in others and helped so many discover their own gifts. Our thoughts are with his beloved family and the many people whose lives he touched. Richard's impact will continue to ripple through our community for generations to come. Thank you, Richard. https://latinopolicyforum.org/in-loving-memory-of-our-friend-richard-j-martinez/ (fb)