Pritzker's Visit to One of Illinois' Poorest Places
In this 2002 photo, Leearius Williams, 6, left, and his brother Thomas Talley, 2, right, look out the window at their house in Pembroke, IL. (Chang W. Lee/The New York Times)
Governor JB Pritzker was in one of the state’s poorest places Monday, but the legislation touted will likely do little to help residents in struggling Pembroke Township in Kankakee County.
Pritzker touted the recently passed economic equity legislation passed by the Illinois Legislative Black caucus. But, in a grade school gymnasium, Pritzker highlighted a portion of the legislation that involves black farmers.
“We all know that history, culture, and, yes, federal and state policies of the past have decimated once thriving black farming communities,” Pritzker said Monday. “This is a monumental opportunity to help ensure that we’re building equity and generational wealth for black farmers in the agriculture industry.”
The area does have some black farmers, but more than half of the 2,000 residents in the township are unemployed and lack any vital services.
Residents of the area have been promised government help before. Then-Governor George Ryan promised the area a new prison with gas and sewer lines that go along with it. His successor, Rod Blagojevich, cancelled the project. Blagojevich promised the area piles of state aid that never came to fruition.
Oprah has done a feature. As has the Christian Science Monitor.
Legislation proposed by Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Bourbonnais) would fund grants to help Nicor to build a natural gas line into the impoverished area was not discussed. Neither Haas, or Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), who represent Pembroke Township were present at the media event.
We asked the Governor’s office if he has a plan to tackle extreme poverty in the area, but our message was not returned.
In the meantime, the impoverished residents will continue to wait for help that may never come.