SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address on Wednesday:

“I was pleased the governor proposed rate increases for Medicaid providers and Community Care Program providers, as well as significant overhauls and investments in the Department of Children and Family Services. Pritzker’s budget puts Illinois on the right path toward equitable delivery of human services for children and families.

“The governor and I share a demonstrated commitment to reducing health-care disparities and creating a child welfare system where no child’s health and well-being is neglected. I look forward to working with him to achieve these goals.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“In his first year, Governor Pritzker made good on his campaign promise to put justice and social equity at the forefront of his policy agenda. In today’s address, it was clear that Governor Pritzker understands that this work must continue.

“I was encouraged by Governor Pritzker’s commitment to expanding child care in our state. For working families, access to high-quality child care is imperative to their ability to build a bright future.

“My work in the Senate has largely focused on improving mental health, and tackling substance use and drug-related crime. I am deeply concerned with recent reports that opioid deaths in my own community are rising, while decreasing in the communities of my white colleagues. The governor has made a sincere commitment today to social equity in how the state deploys resources and funding to battle the opioid crisis. While the recent executive order is a strong step forward, I look forward to holding Governor Pritzker to that promise over the next year.”