Welcome to Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter's Legislative Website

Hunter encourages families to apply for energy bill assistance

CHICAGO – To combat rising energy prices, State Senator Mattie Hunter encourages eligible families in the 3rd District to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“The cost of living continues to increase and families should not have to worry about whether they will be able to keep the lights on or heat running as it gets colder,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “I encourage eligible residents to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.”

The LIHEAP program – which opened Oct. 1 – utilizes a priority application system to ensure that families most in need can apply first. All families who meet the qualifications and provide proper documentation will receive support until funding is exhausted. Families who earn up to two times the federal poverty level are eligible to receive support through LIHEAP. A chart with the eligible income thresholds can be found here.

In addition to LIHEAP, Illinois offers a number of other programs to support eligible low-income families with utility assistance. These programs include:

• One-Time Direct Vendor Payment: All LIHEAP recipients receive a one-time payment.
• Crisis/Reconnection Assistance: Funding is available for families in heating-related emergency situations.
• Furnace Assistance: Based on funding availability, Furnace Assistance may be provided to homeowners who do not have an operating furnace for their residence.
• Home Weatherization Program: The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) helps low-income residents and households conserve fuel and reduce energy costs by making their homes and apartments more energy efficient.

People can learn more and apply for these programs on the DCEO Website.

Hunter secures strong investment to expand workforce training in Chicago

CHICAGO – In an effort to expand workforce training, State Senator Mattie Hunter helped secure over $595,000 to connect workers with the skills and resources they need to enter in-demand careers while helping employers build the qualified workforce they need to grow.

“Workforce training programs are crucial in providing hands-on training to everyone in our community which can then lead to a stable career,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Our continued investment into the workforce pipeline will bring more jobs to the region and ensure that these jobs are accessible to everyone.”

Read more …

Hunter announces funding for local libraries, literacy programs

CHICAGO – State Senator Matt Hunter is proud to announce two organizations in the district she represents will be receive over $2 million for literacy program enhancements, workplace skills development and more.

“Giving our libraries the resources to grow their services and expand what they offer is key to making learning materials accessible to every Chicago resident, no matter where they live, their income or their education level," said Hunter (D-Chicago). “At the same time, raising the state's literacy level opens doors to individual success and strengthens our communities overall.”

The latest round of funding through the Illinois Secretary of State includes more than $28 million for library services and literacy programs throughout Illinois. The grants will enhance online catalogs at local libraries, support day-to-day operations and expand interlibrary loan programs. Funding also supports radio information services that provide local news and information to individuals who cannot read standard print materials. Literacy grants promote basic reading, math, writing and English language skills through adult, family and workplace literacy programs.

The Chicago Public Library System will receive over $2.5 million to enhance library services. The Literacy Volunteers of Illinois will receive $55,000 through an adult literacy grant. The grant will be used to provide instruction to help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at beginning level to improve their basic reading, writing, math or English language proficiency.

For a full list of entities receiving grants across Illinois, visit the ILSOS website.

Hunter eliminates discriminatory limits for disability insurance

SPRINGFIELD — Disability insurance helps protect people from financial losses if an accident or illness renders them incapable of working and receiving regular income. However, disability insurance plans do not always treat mental health conditions the same as physical health conditions. To help those struggling with mental health conditions, State Senator Mattie Hunter led a new law to ensure insurance providers properly disclose mental illness limitations for disability insurance purposes.

“Mental illness limitations for disability insurance purposes is discriminatory and unfairly limits the economic protection that disability insurance is intended to promise,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Insurance providers need to be up front with their customers about how their policy treats mental health disorders.”

Hunter’s law requires private health insurers to disclose to consumers seeking a policy that includes whether the policy limits the duration of coverage for mental health or substance use disorders. The law also give consumers the right to request more information about the limitation and other coverage options that include unlimited duration, if available. 

The Department of Insurance found that 68% of disability insurance plans offered in Illinois limit mental health and substance use disorder benefits. 

Senate Bill 1327 was signed into law Friday.