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February 5, 2007                                                                                                     773-995-2388
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CHICAGO STATE OPENS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT THAT HIGHLIGHTS
AFRICAN AMERICAN STATE LEGISLATORS

CHICAGO -- Black History Month at Chicago State University will begin with the opening of a new permanent photography exhibit entitled "Illinois' African American State Lawmakers: 1877 to Present." The contributions and accomplishments of Illinois' African American legislators are the focus of this exhibit, the first of its kind in the state.

An opening reception will be held on Monday, February 5, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the University's New Academic Library, 9501 S. King Drive in Chicago. Special guests will include Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., members of Illinois' Black Legislative Caucus and various business and community leaders.

The exhibit was created by Dr. Erma Brooks Williams, Senior Executive Director for Board and Governmental Affairs at Chicago State University. Four years ago, while helping her daughter with a school project, Dr. Williams discovered a void of information on the legislative activity of African American state lawmakers. “My daughter was asked to do a report on Carol Moseley Braun’s legislative accomplishments but it was a real challenge to find anything other than biographical information,” said Dr. Williams. “That experience served as the genesis of this exhibit.”

In addition to state lawmakers’ photographs and legislative information, the exhibit contains noteworthy archival documents for examination and research. “This exhibit is a treasure of African American successes in Illinois government – especially during times when our freedoms were limited. It highlights the achievements of the African American trailblazers in the Illinois General Assembly and is a wonderful addition to the celebration of our history,” said Senate President Emil Jones, Jr.

“Illinois’ African American state legislators are responsible for a host of legislative accomplishments that, until now, have not been collected and celebrated in an exhibit. We are pleased to add this important exhibit to the University’s archives,” said Dr. Elnora D. Daniel, University President.

African American leadership in the state legislature made history in a number of areas. Some of their accomplishments include:

• The Honorable Cecil Partee was the nation’s first African American to become a State Senate President serving for two terms, 1971-1973 and 1975-1977.
• Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. is the only African American in the nation to hold that position today.
• Two of the five African American U.S. Senators are from Illinois’ State Senate.
• During his tenure as State Senator, Harold Washington spearheaded Illinois’ legislative effort to make Martin Luther King’s birthday a state holiday. Illinois was one of the first states to accomplish that.