FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                          

Thursday, May 19, 2011

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities (ICED) recently honored Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter (D–Chicago) with the Carl Suter Award for Legislator of the Year.

“I am honored to be recognized for my endeavors to aid people with disabilities,” Hunter said.  “People living with disabilities want the opportunity to be active members of our community, and they can thrive and take part in everyday activities and jobs if given the proper resources.  I want to extend my appreciation ICED for their support of the community of people with disabilities and I look forward to expanding upon our successes.”

An estimated five million people in the world are living with lupus.  Among them, an estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. and estimated 65,000 are Illinois residents.  Lupus is more common among minorities – a disparity that remains unexplained – and is two to three times more prevalent among women of color.  The average lupus diagnosis takes four years and three doctors due to its unpredictability and mimicking of other illnesses.  It is because of this lack of education and awareness of lupus that I ask you to join me and the American Lupus Foundation as we “Band Together for Lupus” during the month of May.