Hunter urges residents to apply for housing assistance 

CHICAGO – Illinoisans across the state have faced financial struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic — but those on Chicago’s South Side have been disproportionately affected. Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is urging those residents to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program.

“People desperately need help with rent,” Hunter said. “Though residents can’t get evicted right now, they will still need to pay their rent at some point. It’s my hope the program will help those who have been unemployed or not receiving income due to COVID-19 to catch up on their bills.”

Earlier this week, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced $150 million in available funds to help residents across the state during this national emergency by introducing the largest housing assistance program in the nation.

Tenants whose applications are approved will receive one-time grants of up to $5,000 paid directly to their landlords to cover missed rent payments beginning March 2020 and prepay payments through December 2020, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first. 

Tenants are eligible if:

• Their household income before March 1, 2020 was at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, 
• An adult member of the household had a loss of income due to the COVID-19 crisis on or after March 1, 2020; or
• A household has an unpaid rent balance that began on or after March 1, 2020.

 “Helping people most in need is what the government is supposed to do,” Hunter said. “I’m proud our state is able to do something impactful during this time.”

Residents who are eligible may apply online at era.idha.org. Applications for ERA will be accepted now through Aug. 21.

Please note, applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the application window may close early due to high volume.

The public health investment the Tribune Editorial Board chooses to ignore

(The following op-ed from Senator Mattie Hunter was submitted to the Chicago Tribune on July 28, 2020)

For the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board to say our federal aid request had “little to do with public health” is disingenuous at best and a flat out lie at worst.

That request specifically asked for the single largest public health investment in Illinois minority communities in modern history.

It is an overdue investment.

It comes at a time when people in Black and Brown communities are being infected, hospitalized and dying at rates exceeding any other community.

It comes as a time when there is growing recognition of these communities’ economic, social and human needs being ignored decade after decade.

That’s why we sought $1 billion in public health investment targeted to these underserved, disproportionately impacted neighborhoods. We also requested hardship pay for the heroes working on the front lines against this virus in health care facilities.

The Tribune Editorial Board skipped all that.

Those are especially hard items to overlook given they were included in Tribune news coverage. Perhaps the Editorial Board should read the paper.

The Tribune Editorial Board’s views on federal relief are stunningly tone deaf at a time when millions of Illinoisans are facing unemployment, food insecurity and lingering racial divisions. I could point out the numerous errors in their argument and judgement, but that’s another letter for another time.

The Editorial Board may score political points in some circles with its finger wagging refrain. I hope it satisfies them. The rest of us will remain focused on getting Illinois through this crisis.

Hunter encourages Chicago’s young adults to take advantage of youth employment program

CHICAGO - As a way to help Chicago’s young adults weather the economic and social challenges caused the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is encouraging youth aged 16-24 to participate in the Illinois Department of Human Services’ COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program.

 “The youth I represent have been faced with a great deal of adversity over the past few months, especially in our underserved neighborhoods. For some, it can feel overwhelming,” Hunter said. “This program offers a productive way to combat financial uncertainty while building the foundation for a great career.”

The program offers paid career development and work experience to young adults by partnering them with local employers in need of summer workers.

Providers under the program serving Hunter’s district are listed below.

Participants in this program will be placed in age- and experience-appropriate opportunities in one of three categories: work-based learning, career development experience, or pre-apprenticeship programs that target a registered or non-registered apprenticeship.

The state has dedicated $9.3 million to the program to employ low-income youth living in areas most affected by the pandemic.

“Young people should be able to see a promising future for themselves, which is why I encourage all eligible youth in Chicago to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their job prospects,” Hunter said.

Opportunities are available through the end of August.

###

Hunter appointed to Illinois Commission to End Hunger

CHICAGO – To help ensure every Illinois family has access to fresh, healthy food, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) has been appointed to the Illinois Commission to End Hunger.

“My career in public service has been dedicated to helping families lead safer and healthier lives, which is why I’m honored to join the Illinois Commission to End Hunger,” Hunter said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the commission to identify and execute solutions to address the systemic factors that give rise to poverty and child hunger.”

Launched in 2010, the Illinois Commission to End Hunger is a public-private partnership comprised of stakeholders from across the state tasked with developing a continuing plan of action to eradicate food insecurity.

Overall, 10.7% of Illinoisans experience food insecurity, including more than 15 percent of all children in the state.

The commission is set to release the Illinois Roadmap to End Hunger later this year, which will outline recommendations for both short-term recovery and long-term solutions.

The commission is currently holding regional listening sessions to gather input from local leaders, advocates, and families around the state. The remaining listening sessions are:

• Northern Illinois – Wednesday, July 15, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
• Southern Illinois – Thursday, July 16, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Registration for the listening sessions is available here.