Illinois Future Fund Advocacy Day Press Conference - 02.18.2026

Описание: SPRINGFIELD ADVOCACY DAY: The Illinois Future Fund Press Conference
February 18, 2026 | Illinois State Capitol

Over 200 people gathered at the Illinois State Capitol today to demand HB 4443: the Illinois Future Fund Act.
Here's what was said. Here's why it matters.

KEY DATA POINTS FROM THE PRESSER:
The Promise (2018):
"This was the first recreational cannabis policy to incorporate reparations for the war on drugs." — Richard Wallace
The Numbers:
✓ 800,000 people got their records expunged through HB1438
✓ 25% of cannabis tax revenue dedicated to community
✓ $45–50 million per year and growing
✓ R3 Zones mapped: Areas disproportionately impacted by War on Drugs
The Proof:
✓ Chicago Future Fund provided $500/month to 130 formerly incarcerated residents
✓ 90%+ of participants remained employed
✓ People saved money, paid down debt, improved mental health
✓ Parents spent more time with families
✓ Hundreds of guaranteed income pilots nationwide found the same results
The Message:
✓ "$500 is $500 more than zero." — Richard Wallace
✓ "Poverty is not a personal failure. Poverty is a policy failure."
✓ "My people take $500 and turn it into a thousand."
✓ "We are done with half steps. We are done with pilots that prove what we already know."

POWERFUL MOMENTS FROM THE PRESSER:
Moment 1: The Reparations Framework (Richard Wallace)
"Reparations has five pillars:

Rehabilitation
Restitution
Compensation
Guarantee of non-repetition
Satisfaction"

"This program takes the power out of the nonprofit industrial complex and gives it directly to the people."
Moment 2: Call & Response (Minister Diiti Quote)
"It is our duty to fight for our freedom.
It is our duty to win.
We must love each other and respect each other.
We have nothing to lose but our change."
Moment 3: Youth Leadership (Rep. La Shawn K. Ford)
"In the name of Reverend Jesse Jackson Jr., I need each and one of you to say: I am somebody."
Rep. Ford had young people from the crowd come up and speak this affirmation in front of 200+ people. This is how we build the next generation of leaders.
Moment 4: Rachel's Evidence-Based Argument
"Banks denied us. Funders hesitated. They said it'll make people lazy. They said people won't spend it on the right things.
But we trusted our people.
And what did we find?

People saved money
People paid down debts
People were more motivated to find work
Mental health improved
Parents spent more time with families

Because when you have security, you can act on your ambitions."
Moment 5: Community Power (Tycie Bell, Joliet)
"Right down the street there's a dispensary making money every day, hand over fist, right up the street in many of our neighborhoods.
This is the story of many poor communities.
Our people are desperate. Our communities have been devastated, divested in.
The Illinois Future Fund will make things different every single day."
Moment 6: The Chant (All 200+ people)
"The people, united, will never be defeated."
"All of us or none of us."
Moment 7: The Ask (Clear & Direct)
"We are not good. We want to be great.
We are done with half steps.
We are done with pilots that prove what we already know.
We are done debating whether or not people deserve financial security.
We are here today to pass HB 4443."

WHAT THIS MEANS:
✅ Reparations Recognized: Illinois promised in 2019 that cannabis revenue would repair War on Drugs harm
✅ Proof Provided: Chicago Future Fund data shows guaranteed income works
✅ Community Mobilized: 200+ people at the Capitol showing legislative demand
✅ Youth Engaged: Young people being brought into movement leadership
✅ Urgency Clear: "No half steps, no more pilots, we demand the bill passed"

THE ASK:
HB 4443 — the Illinois Future Fund Act
$500/month guaranteed income for formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals across Illinois.
Funded by cannabis tax revenue that was promised to communities in 2018.
How you can help:
✓ Contact your legislator and demand they support HB 4443
✓ Share this video
✓ Follow for updates as the House votes in March–April
✓ Join the organizing: Big Payback Tour continues across Illinois

NEXT STEPS:
📋 House Vote: March–April 2026
✍️ Contact Your Legislator:
Tell them to support HB 4443 — the Illinois Future Fund Act
📱 Share This Video:
Show your network what 200+ people demanded at the Illinois State Capitol