Congresswoman Robin Kelly outlines the Build Back Better Act
Congresswomen Robin Kelly highlighted key investments from the Build Back Better Act that will benefit Illinois residents and constituents in the 2nd Congressional District. Photo provided by Congresswoman Robin Kelly
On Nov. 22, Congresswoman Robin Kelly outlined key investments from the Build Back Better Act. Local elected officials within Kelly’s 2nd district, which includes, urban, suburban and rural areas, joined her to highlight how those investments would benefit their constituents.
The Build Back Better Act incorporates Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s MOMMAS Act, which expands maternal healthcare and would give women in each state access to postpartum Medicaid coverage up to one year after giving birth. “That is definitely going to save lives and is going to cut down on the $30 billion a year this country spends because of maternal mortality,” she said.
The Break the Cycle of Violence Act, co-led by Kelly, was the basis of the $5 million investment to community-based gun violence prevention organizations. “I look forward to the expanded work our local gun violence prevention groups are going to be able to do with this additional money,” she said.
Illinois State Representative Marcus Evans, D-Dist. 33, described the act as robust package. Evans said he is looking forward to working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to ensure the Surface Transportation Block Grant and the Highway Performance Program receive the federal funds necessary to begin the projects.
“I will work with all of my colleagues to do that and to work with the Governor’s administration to ensure the Southland and the South Suburbs receive the dollars that they need for infrastructure,” he said. “We want to see infrastructure improvements on Stony Island, we want to see Lake Shore Drive continue to be expanded, and the bottleneck of the Dan Ryan taken care of. The 2nd District has a lot of infrastructure needs.”
Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, D-Dist. 38, said the Build Back Better Act was the answer to many people’s prayers, especially in the Southland, where Meyers-Martin represents 15 municipalities. Meyers-Martin focused on the healthcare disparities that were brought to the forefront during COVID-19. Meyers-Martin believes good, safe, affordable housing is something everyone deserves.
Meyers-Martin was happy about the provision in the Build Back Better Act for gun violence prevention. She acknowledged Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order declaring gun violence as a public health crisis, which was signed in November and implements a public health approach to reducing gun violence.
“This money for addressing gun violence in my community, as well as the entire state, is certainly welcome and it is at a perfect time,” she said.
Meyers-Martin was encouraged by the part in the Build Back Better Act that funds renewable energy and reduces the carbon footprint. She equated it to the Illinois’ Clean Energy Bill, which was passed in September.
Illinois State Representative Will Davis, D-Dist.30, called Kelly a consistent and strong fighter for her District. He highlighted the workforce development, which Meyers-Martin also focused on. Davis emphasized the importance of access to training programs for people of color.
“We have to engage everyone, and we need our unions, in particular, to make sure they are reaching out into these underserved communities … the Black communities, the Latino communities, the Rural White communities. They all deserve this opportunity to work in these programs,” he said.
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