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.

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CAIR Chicago is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented self-starter to fill the full-time position of Outreach Coordinator/Manager, which is available immediately. This position is expected to work in their downtown Chicago office and will be a key staff contributor to their team development and community presence. Learn more here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) voted to keep the governor’s appointment of Eleanor Wilson on the Prisoner Review Board. With her vote, Hunter released the following statement:

“There are people who believe that Ms. Wilson has been too lenient in her past rulings, but I believe we’re treating her very unfairly. All she did was do her job which was read the file, listen to recommendations and look at the whole picture.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget:

“After the hard year we’ve endured, it was vital that we supported a plan that adequately funds our health care and human service programs. I am satisfied that the plan has prioritized funding for Medicaid and other health and human services.

“I’m also glad that several ethics reforms will be implemented including prohibiting elected officials from lobbying other units of government, prohibiting all political fundraisers during legislative session and pro-rating the salaries of General Assembly members who leave office prior to the end of their term.

“Many communities have been roiled by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially communities of color, and it is necessary that the organizations they count on most are properly funded during this time.

“I believe the massive debt reduction of over $3 billion will help families get back on their feet.”