Darius Newsome followed me through a maze of meetings, negotiations and presentations today at the Capitol. Darius graduated from Noble Charter School and is now a graduate student at UIC. He was recently elected to the UIC board of Trustees. Congratulations Darius!

I had the pleasure of having Katrina Schroeder as my shadow at the Capitol. She was formerly the President of the Youth Advisory Council for the Department of Children & Family Services. She spent 12 years under the care of DCFS and got her college degree. Now she’s a transformational speaker, helping people find freedom from inside out.

The United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) is here at the Capitol today lobbying for fairness, justice and equity. I was honored to speak at their rally. Go UCCRO!

Today, I spent the day teaching students at Manley Career Academy and Legal Prep Charter School how to plan the future. The students at both schools were very engaged. They drew pictures and wrote goal statements describing their future. It was a great day!

Loyola Ramblers Men's Basketball team members, Coach Porter Moser and Sister Jean are at the Capitol today. We are celebrating their success. Lucas Williamson, a freshman on the team and a 5th District resident, addressed the Senate! Congratulations!