A program where Black businesses finally get the resources they need 

SPRINGFIELD – To better support Black-owned businesses, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is pushing to create the Black Wall Street Program to increase the progress of Black businesses in Illinois.

"We can reduce the challenges Black businesses face by providing access to resources that help them develop," Harris said. "Supporting Black businesses helps not just the businesses, but the entire community that surrounds them."   

House Bill 1960 would require the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create and administer this program to stimulate black businesses' growth and development in under-served communities throughout the state of Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD - To help patients better manage their prescription costs, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) passed legislation out of the Senate Insurance Committee that would require all Illinois-regulated health insurance companies to offer flat-dollar co-pay plans for drug benefits. 

"Working families could better plan for their health care costs if they paid fixed out-of-pocket amounts for their prescribed medicine," Harris said. "I want to make sure plans are available that offer that option."

SPRINGFIELD– In order to increase diversity and inclusion in the railroad industry, State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) is pushing Amtrak to submit procurement goals for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises.

“In order to ensure that our small and minority businesses are getting a fair opportunity to participate in transportation contracts, we must urge all our railroad companies to set goals to increase diversity,” Harris said. “Illinois is a diverse state, and all industries should promote equity and inclusion for all business that want to participate in public contracts.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that Black and Brown families are being treated fairly, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III is sponsoring legislation that would require the Department of Children and Family Services to submit an annual report regarding racial disparities for children and families. 

“Our minority families already have to deal with enough challenges. They shouldn’t have to deal with racial disparities in their treatment by DCFS and other state agencies,” Harris said. “Requiring DCFS to provide a report on inequities helps us pinpoint where these Black and Brown families need help the most.”