SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation to create the Clean Water Workforce Pipeline Program that would prepare and support individuals seeking a career in Illinois’ water infrastructure.

“Our state water system needs improvements, but we also need individuals who are properly trained to build and maintain that system,” said Slaughter. “By creating this program, we can begin modernizing our water systems to provide every Illinoisan with clean and safe water, and also create good paying jobs to benefit our community.”

Slaughter’s House Bill 3349 would create the Clean Water Workforce Pipeline grant program for job training and transitional aid for individuals learning how to maintain and interact with the water infrastructure system. The program would seek to create more than 2,500 jobs annually and provide job training, continuing education, job placement, and financial support to individuals seeking jobs in the water sector.

“Other cities have seen the devastating results of lead pipes and unclean water,” said Slaughter. “This legislation will prevent tragedies like we’ve seen in Flint, Michigan and provide the economic opportunities our community need.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing his efforts to promote women’s equality, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is co-sponsoring legislation to prevent salary discrimination and help ensure equal pay for women in Illinois.

“Women deserve equal pay for equal work, and legislators need to work together to help address the inequalities that women may face in the workplace,” Slaughter said. “This legislation will help close the wage gap between men and women and bring us one step closer to women’s equality.”

The Slaughter-backed House Bill 834 would prohibit employers from requiring applicants to disclose their salary history in job applications and interviews. Slaughter supported similar legislation in 2018, but the measure was vetoed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“I am committed to standing with women and demanding equal pay for all,” Slaughter said. “I am confident that this legislation will help prevent salary discrimination, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure women’s equality.”

Slaughter to Chair Committee on Criminal Justice

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, will continue his fight for criminal justice reform as the new chair of the Illinois House Judiciary: Criminal Committee in the 101^st General Assembly.

“Criminal justice reform is long overdue in our state and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to advocate for this issue as chair of the House Judiciary: Criminal Committee,” Slaughter said. “As a state representative, it is my job to help address the needs of the community I serve, and that includes working with my colleagues to create a more fair and effective legal system in Illinois.”

Last year, Slaughter sponsored notable criminal justice reform legislation, including Senate Bill 1993, a bipartisan measure aimed at retroactively expunging juvenile arrest records that did not result in criminal convictions. Slaughter also supported Senate Bill 1607, which establishes new guidelines for individuals who are released on parole or supervised release and requires information on community-based employment service programs to be available to persons with prior criminal convictions or arrests.

“As we work to make Illinois a better place for our families, we must also confront the issues present in our current criminal justice system,” Slaughter said. “I look forward to taking on the leadership of this important committee and working toward a better future for our community.”