As city officials trumpet news of a multi-million dollar expansion of the CTA’s Blue Line to O’Hare, state lawmakers from the Southside are once again wondering when the CTA will keep its promises to improve mass transit in their area.

“People who live in Skokie have a faster commute downtown than residents on the South Side,” said state Senator Emil Jones III, chairman of the Senate Black Caucus. “For decades the CTA keeps saying it can’t find money for the Red Line extension, but somehow it can find nearly half a billion dollars for the Blue Line.”

Jones’ frustration boiled over this week with the CTA’s announcement of a $492 million plan to redo the Blue Line. Federal transportation officials flew in to announce a $120 million federal loan for the project.

Meanwhile, on the Southside officials are left wondering when the needs of their communities are going to be addressed. Since the 1970s community advocates, church and business leaders have pushed to extend the Red Line beyond its current stop at 95th Street. There have been CTA plans and studies, town hall meetings and training programs to prepare people for possible work.

And once again nothing has happened, even as millions of dollars are devoted to other parts of the CTA system.

Read more: South Side transit needs ignored again by CTA

Today, the Illinois Senate sided with the people of Illinois by passing legislation to increase the minimum wage. State Senator Emil Jones (D- Chicago) issued the following statement:

“Last November, the people of Illinois made their voices heard loud and clear by overwhelmingly supporting a minimum wage increase by referendum,” Senator Jones said. “The cost of living is continually increasing, putting families at risk of being unable to keep up with their bills. Raising the minimum wage will help families cope with rising costs.

Read more: Senator Jones supports minimum wage increase

Springfield – A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago Crime Lab revealed that an initiative pushed by members of the Senate Black Caucus resulted in lower violent crime arrest during summer months. The initiative is called the Youth Employment Program, and it provided jobs for thousands of at-risk youth during the summer months.

Participants held a variety of jobs, ranging from camp counselors to administrative aides. A majority of the participants were from neighborhoods where unemployment rates are over 19 percent.

"Providing our youth with alternatives to being in the streets is necessary to ensure the next generation has the chance to thrive," said Senator Emil Jones III, Chairman of the Senate Black Caucus. "Moving into the next General Assembly, I hope Governor Rauner will take note and make funding for the program a priority.

Read more: Jones: Summer jobs keeps at-risk youth out of the judicial system

Yesterday, State Senator Emil Jones III (D – Chicago) introduced a measure to provide a $300 million supplemental appropriation to close the gaping budget hole in Illinois' child care program.

The Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program provides low-income, working families with access to child care, which allows parents to continue working and contributes to the development of a child.

"The suspension of this program has dealt a great deal of hardship to working families in our communities," Senator Jones said. "Families are being denied child care, and parents are afraid of losing their jobs because they have no other options."

Read more: Jones introduces a measure to help families struggling with child care cost