Senator Toro supports Supreme Court decision to uphold assault weapons ban

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Natalie Toro released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:

 "As a kindergarten teacher, I am horrified each time I see my 5-year-old students have mass shooter drills and when I see the worry on their parents' faces because school shootings carried out with assault weapons have become commonplace in our country. Assault weapons are designed for military use to inflict mass casualties and have absolutely no place in our neighborhoods. I'm encouraged that the Illinois Supreme Court also recognizes the dangers these weapons pose to our communities and has agreed with the legislature’s ban. This senseless gun violence must end.”

Toro announces over $58 million in infrastructure investments for the 20th District

CHICAGO – Senator Natalie Toro and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced a $58 million investment in road and bridge improvement projects for the 20^th District.

“Our state’s aging infrastructure can cause disruptions for commuters and delays for cyclists or pedestrian travelers if roads are not accessible,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “These investments will ensure our community’s pathways are improved and maintained to make commuting through the district more convenient for our neighbors.” 

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Toro represents will see eight infrastructure projects totaling $58,281,000 over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• Standard overlay on Milwaukee Avenue from Logan Boulevard to Armitage Avenue
• Bridge preservation along the Kennedy Expressway from the Edens Expressway junction to Hubbard Street
• Sign maintenance and pavement patching along the Kennedy Expressway from the Edens Expressway junction to Hubbard Street

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“Infrastructure is essential to keeping us connected to our community and beyond,” said Toro. “Ensuring it is upgraded and enhanced will make traveling around our neighborhood more efficient and enjoyable.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 20^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

• Transportation
• Infrastructure
• 20th District

Senator Toro applauds the elimination of cash bail

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro released the following statement in response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the pretrial release portions of the SAFE-T Act:

“I applaud today's landmark decision by the Illinois State Supreme Court upholding provisions of the SAFE-T Act that finally clear the way for Illinois to be the first state to end cash bail.

“For far too long, the cash bail system has given the wealthiest an unfair advantage within our criminal legal system. The SAFE-T Act takes the first steps to make our criminal legal system one that actually stands for justice, ensuring all folks are truly treated as innocent until proven guilty and granted the same freedoms regardless of their access to economic resources. 

“I am proud that our state’s highest court prioritized public safety over wealth in their decision. I stand with the grassroots organizers who have fought for vulnerable communities for decades in their work to eliminate cash bail. This movement has led to a monumental win in reforming our criminal legal system to stand for justice, which is just the beginning of more reforms to come.” 

Read more about the SAFE-T Act here.

• SAFE-T Act
• Public Safety
• Cash Bail

Natalie Toro sworn in as next senator of District 20

CHICAGO — On Monday night, Natalie Toro was sworn in as the state senator of the 20^th District. Senator Toro released the following statement after the ceremony:

“I am honored to serve my community as state senator and represent the neighbors I have known my entire life. I bring to this role more than a decade of experience in another area of public service — education. As a kindergarten teacher at Goethe Elementary School, I have had the privilege of supporting our young people as they grow into the best versions of themselves. I have also had to witness my students struggle with food or housing insecurity, fears for their safety from gun violence, and disparate education outcomes compared to their peers because of disinvestment and unequal resource allocations between schools. I wanted to serve as state senator to fight for policy changes that will address these systemic forces of oppression so that our children can achieve their highest potential and just be kids without these additional factors impacting their ability to learn or grow.

Read more: Natalie Toro sworn in as next senator of District 20