CHICAGO — In recognition of the Biden administration unveiling the first 10 prescription drugs that will be subject to price negotiations with Medicare, State Senator Mattie Hunter released the following statement:

“Access to low cost prescription drugs has always been a priority of mine. For far too long, people have had to pay far too much for prescription drugs.

“I have led several initiatives in the Illinois State Senate protecting access to low cost prescription drugs that have been the first of their kind signed into law in Illinois. I am thrilled to see us deliver on that promise yet again on an even larger scale by implementing a nationwide historic law to lower health care and prescription drug costs for all people across the nation.

“This plan grows our economy from the middle out, prioritizing the American people – not big pharmaceutical companies. We will continue fighting for all people until the struggle to access vital prescriptions for life-threatening illnesses due to excessive costs is over.”

The first 10 Medicare Part D drugs have been selected for price negotiation, and they are among the most common and costly prescriptions. The list includes Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara and Fiasp/NovoLog insulin products. These pharmaceutical drugs chosen treat everything from heart failure to blood clots, Crohn’s disease and more.

To view a state-by-state breakdown of the number of Medicare enrollees who use the prescription drugs selected for negotiation and their out-of-pocket costs, visit HHS’s website.

CHICAGO — With strong support from State Senator Mattie Hunter, libraries and literacy programs within the 3rd Senate District will receive more than $2.6 million in combined state grants.

“Literacy programs equip adults with the tools they need to be successful and open the doors to a world of possibilities,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This funding will empower local literacy programs and Chicago libraries to continue to provide and expand services, benefiting learners of all ages.”

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office awarded $2,573,253 in System Area and Per Capita Grants to the Chicago Public Library System. Per capita grants help fund library expenses, such as books and learning materials, personnel, equipment, access to digital materials and new technology.

To support literacy efforts, Literacy Volunteers of Illinois will receive $53,800 to train volunteers who tutor adults in reading, math, writing and language skills. The Tolton Center at De La Salle Institute will receive $50,000 to enhance family literacy programs.

More information about statewide library grants can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter announced that the Chicago Public Schools district will receive over $23 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Every child deserves a quality education with access to libraries, counselors and support,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “With evidence-based funding, we are taking a crucial step toward closing the education gap, ensuring all students have a fair shot at reaching their full potential.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Read more ...

CHICAGO — To help restaurants continue to recover from financial hardship sustained over the last few years, State Senator Mattie Hunter announced that 40 businesses in the 3rd Senate District will receive over $1.6 million in funding through the Back to Business grant program.

“The Back to Business program has helped hundreds of businesses in Chicago bounce back from the lasting effects of the pandemic,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “With the support of these grants, restaurants will be able to keep their doors open, retain jobs and continue to provide valuable services within our community.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Read more ...