Catching Up With Quigley: Week of October 21
Dear Friend,
It's Mike Quigley. I’d like to highlight an important anniversary, update you on a new EPA rule, and share some details about my visit with a community group.
1. Recognized the Tenth Anniversary of the Laquan McDonald Shooting
This Sunday marked ten years since 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer. Laquan’s death shocked our city and led to demands for change in law enforcement and accountability from Chicago’s leaders. His murder is part of a long history of Black men being senselessly killed by police officers. Going for a jog, a walk, a drive, or simply existing in your own home should never be a death sentence. The only remedy is to enact transformative changes to the government and law enforcement systems that have failed Black communities for too long.
I firmly believe that most police officers aim to serve their communities well, but too many bad apples continue to affect relationships between communities and law enforcement. When bad officers erode public trust, they harm the reputation of their fellow good officers. We owe it to Laquan to build a future that reflects our founding belief in equal justice under the law.
2. Celebrated EPA Efforts to Keep Children Safe from Lead Paint
On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled out a new rule to protect kids from dust containing lead paint in older homes and childcare centers. Even though lead-based paint was banned in 1978, about 31 million houses built before then still have it, and around 3.8 million of those have kids under six living in them. The new rule lowers the amount of lead dust considered dangerous and sets stricter limits for dust left on floors and windows after cleanup. The EPA thinks this change could help reduce lead exposure for nearly 1.2 million people each year, including up to 326,000 kids.
3. Met with the Heart of Lincoln Square
On Wednesday, I attended the Heart of Lincoln Square's "State of the Neighborhood" meeting. Heart of Lincoln Square invited experts on affordable and accessible housing to their meeting and asked me to discuss my efforts in Congress to expand access to affordable housing. As Ranking Member on the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I'm acutely aware of the lack of affordable housing available for people across the country, and I remain committed to advocating for solutions that address this urgent need
In March, Congress passed a funding bill for the 2024 fiscal year that dedicated $4.05 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants. These grants provide assistance for over 750,000 people experiencing homelessness and more than 350,000 individuals in emergency shelters. This bill also included $3.3 billion for Community Development Block Grants to support the construction or rehabilitation of tens of thousands of affordable homes. Ultimately, we should be investing in programs that create jobs to build more affordable housing, repair and enhance aging housing, and foster healthy environments that help communities thrive.
Don't forget, our office is always here to help.
You can call my DC office at (202) 225-4061 or my Chicago office at (773) 267-5926. You can also email me through my website at Quigley.house.gov/contact.
Sincerely,
Mike Quigley