Sen. Hunter: The new plan will re-establish trust and peace in inner-city communities

In response to the result of the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation of the Chicago Police Department, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) released the following statement:

“While moving in a positive direction I support the findings of the Justice Department and Attorney General Loretta Lynch. This report confirms what most Chicago residents already know. The Jon Burge police torture conviction was a pretty clear indication.
So too were the years of police shootings and beatings.
The world saw the Laquan McDonald video and recognized our reality.

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Sen Hunter: Wednesday should be sugarless in Illinois

A spoon full of sugar may help the medicine go down, but too much sugar in your diet can mean a lifetime of expensive health problems. That’s why Senator Mattie Hunter and the American Heart Association are teaming up to promote “Sugarless Wednesday”, an initiative aimed to raise awareness of the harmful effects of added sugar in our daily diets.

“Sugarless Wednesday” began Jan. 4 with a goal of people either eliminating soda or cutting back on sweets and sugary snacks each Wednesday of the month. Minority communities are disproportionately experiencing higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer which are often linked to excessive amounts of sugar consumption.

“By taking the proactive approach, I plan to protect children and families from the epidemic of diabetes, heart disease and obesity plaguing the country and this state,” said Hunter. “Sugary drinks and snacks contribute to more than 25,000 American deaths per year. We can reduce those deaths by starting programs that promote clean eating and exercise.”

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Sen. Hunter spreads holiday joy to low-income residents

State Senator Mattie Hunter joined Secretary Jesse White and the Jesse White Foundation for a holiday tradition, distributing over 1,000 turkeys and hams to low-income seniors and residents around the district.

“One of my greatest joys is giving back to those in the community,” Hunter said. “This holiday tradition is not only about giving, but ensuring families have enough food to eat with their loved ones. There’s nothing more rewarding than being a service to the lives of the people in this great state.”

Since 1973, the Jesse White Foundation has helped tens of thousands of individuals who’ve sought additional assistance and has brought national attention to the importance of alleviating homelessness. The organization works with volunteers, elected officials, corporations and many more to provide extra resources to those in need around the community.

This will be Senator Hunter’s 13th year participating in the holiday ham and turkey giveaway. 

Sen. Hunter addresses heroin and opioid epidemic with a skillful plan

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) announced a new plan to tackle the heroin and opioid epidemic spreading across the state. State officials, community leaders and families joined Sen. Hunter to share their experiences while working to help those struggling with substance abuse.

"As a certified substance abuse counselor I’ve had the opportunity to work as a support system for those struggling with drug addiction,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter. “I recognize the importance of teaching individuals how to modify their behavior with the intention of full recovery to prevent relapse which sometimes results in death. I’m hopeful that while working with previous taskforces and professionals in the medical field we can together we will find a solution to the problem plaguing our communities."

With the plan, Hunter hopes to identify common problems across the state and practical legislation that might diminish, if not solve, those problems.

Watch the full press conference here.