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As Champaign hosted the 87th Annual NAACP State Conference this weekend, we asked the host and guests: All the issues impacting Black Illinoisans that need to be discussed – racial equality, social justice, economic equality, education reform, police accountability, justice environment, health, disparities and voter rights between them – what is on your most urgent list?

President of the Champaign County Chapter

“A multi-faceted approach is required for our black population. Here’s a breakdown of my key concerns. Black on Black crime also worries me about this generation of Black youth.

1. “Racial equality and social justice: Systemic racism affects many aspects of life, including employment, education and the criminal justice system. Supporting policies that eliminate structural racism, promote equality and ensure equal treatment is crucial. This includes initiatives to end discrimination in hiring practices and implement anti-racist education in schools.”

2. “Economic equality: Economic disparities are a pressing problem. Black communities in Illinois often struggle with higher unemployment rates, wage gaps and limited access to capital. Increasing access to high-quality jobs, supporting Black-owned businesses, and improving access to affordable housing and financial resources can help close the wealth gap.”

3. “Education reform: Educational inequality remains a problem due to underfunding of schools in predominantly black neighborhoods and disparities in academic resources. There is a need for equitable school funding, improved access to high-quality education and initiatives to close achievement gaps, particularly in STEM fields and job training.”

4. “Police Accountability: Police violence and racial profiling disproportionately impact Black communities. “Ensuring greater police accountability through reforms such as civilian oversight boards, transparent investigations into police misconduct, and reallocating resources to local security initiatives is critical to addressing this problem.”

5. “Environmental justice: Black communities are often more vulnerable to environmental hazards such as industrial pollution and poor air quality, which contribute to negative health outcomes. Pushing for stronger environmental regulations and community-led solutions can help mitigate these risks.

6. “Health Disparities: Health disparities are a serious problem, including higher rates of chronic disease and limited access to health care. Expanding access to affordable health care, increasing the number of health care providers in underserved areas, and addressing social determinants of health such as food insecurity and housing instability are essential steps.”

7. “Voter’s rights: Vote suppression and unequal access to the ballot box remain a problem. Protecting voter rights through expanded early voting, automatic voter registration, and combating disenfranchisement policies that disproportionately impact Black voters will ensure equal participation in the democratic process.”

President of the Peoria branch

“Literacy is a civil rights issue and one of the most pressing issues facing Illinois’ black population.

“Without literacy in the information age, individuals will be more than left behind, they will be on a path to poverty.

“Poverty often leads to crime, which negatively impacts the entire community, regardless of where you live.”

President of the Freeport branch

“We are losing our youth to gun violence. Young people are our future.

“We need to figure out how to get guns off the streets and how to expose our youth to mediation and conflict resolution.”

Second vice president of the NAACP State Branch Conference

“It is my personal opinion that the most important problem facing the black population of Illinois is the absence of strong black fathers in the family home, which leads to an outstanding breakdown of moral compassion.

“A father’s presence can often provide teenagers with a sense of stability.

“Too many single mothers struggle to raise misguided young boys and girls in difficult economic circumstances characterized by gang affiliation, gun violence, substance abuse, and a gross disregard for authority in school and the community.”

Youth and College Chair of the Illinois NAACP State Conference

“Racial equality is the most pressing issue facing Illinois’ black population. Since 1619, Black people have faced the devastating effects of racism, discrimination and retaliation. As a young black man, I will continue to raise issues of racial inequality because all lives matter.

“Racial inequality has other tentacles that often impede the success of the black community.

“For example, racial inequality impacts social justice because racism prevents the social needs of black people from being met. Racial inequality influences economic and educational problems because high-quality jobs that stimulate the economy are often directly tied to education.

“Police accountability, environmental justice, and health disparities are interconnected through the social construct of race. That’s why the NAACP Division of Youth and Colleges remains committed to our mission as the NAACP continues to work to eliminate racism.

“I am calling on America to address racism so that all Americans have the opportunity to thrive, not just survive, in these times United States of America.”

President of the Carbondale branch

“Slavery – the original American form of economic disenfranchisement – ​​is still evident in America today.

“The most pressing issue facing Illinois’ black population is economic inequality. Economic disparities directly impact education; apartments; health; occupation; accumulation of social, environmental and generational wealth; perpetuating cycles of poverty; and limiting opportunities for advancement.

“Systemic changes in policy and legislation focused on closing the racial wealth opportunity gap are key to creating lasting improvements in all aspects of quality of life for the Black community.”

President of the Galesburg branch

“Voter rights are one of the most important issues facing the black population. All laws are made by elected officials – and we elect them.”

Housing Chair of the Illinois State Conference of the NAACP

“All of the above.”

Youth and College Advisor, Illinois State Conference

“I believe the most pressing issue facing Illinois’ black population is racial equality. Economic inequality, education and health disparities, environmental issues, and police accountability can all be traced to the overall problem of racial inequality, which continues to plague the black population across the state.

“Until this issue is resolved decisively, there will be no further progress in these categories. When we address racial inequality in the country, we also address the categories that assign that inequality.”