SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor’s Budget Address:

“This governor continues to offer dispassionate cuts to the programs that impact the lives of so many people in this state. I beg the governor to roll up his sleeves and join us at the bargaining table this year.

He and his administration need to take a walk in somebody else’s shoes for once, because these cuts do more harm than good to the people we serve. We in the Senate have reached bipartisan support on a number of budgetary issues, and I suggest he join us. Last year, we passed a plan that provided certainty and stability to violence prevention, health care and addiction treatment services, along with programs like Teen Reach.

This year, he plans to cut funding for those services. We understand we cannot have everything, but we need to, at least, keep the services that help people rebuild productive lives in the communities that need it most.”

 SPRINGFIELD – In response to the governor’s State of the State address, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) released the following statement:

“The governor has once again promised to make Illinois compassionate and competitive but we’re still waiting for his actions to match his rhetoric. In today’s address, the governor did not mention the crisis facing youth unemployment.

Black and brown youth, especially our young men, are suffering from joblessness due to the lack of opportunity around the state.

It is criminal of the governor to stand in front of the legislative body touting business development while his agenda fails to include job opportunities for young minorities.

We have seen unemployment numbers increase over the years, but Governor Rauner has not made the necessary changes to improve the lives of all youth. We are going to have to fix this problem ourselves because this governor has failed to lead.”