CHICAGO – A bipartisan-backed human services emergency funding bill is sitting on the governor's desk. Majority Caucus Whip Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement, urging the governor to sign the plan into law:

"A human services funding plan is sitting on the governor's desk. The Senate and House worked in a bipartisan fashion to craft an emergency funding bill that will keep our state afloat.

“We are seeing in Chicago and across our state the devastating effects of not having a budget in place. Without critical programs like Redeploy Illinois, we will continue to see a rise in teen violence.

“Signing the stopgap budget into law is the first step toward turning our state around. Our at-risk teens, seniors and vulnerable residents who rely on human services cannot wait any longer.

“Our communities need a solution today. That solution, Senate Bill 2038, is ready to be signed."

SPRINGFIELD – Yesterday State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and the Illinois State Senate voted to fully fund education for K-12 and preschool.

House Bill 2990 would provide additional money for P-12 education including a $75 million increase for early childhood education. The proposal would make sure schools start on time in the fall.

“I voted to fully fund our education system for students across our state,” said Hunter, Majority Caucus Whip. “P-12 education has remained a top priority for lawmakers and the governor. Putting our children first can help students and parents rest at ease.”

House Bill 2990 went to the House for further approval.

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SPRINGFIELD – Critical dollars may soon keep youth employment and after-school programs open for at-risk youth, hot meals at the doorsteps of seniors and timely breast and cervical cancer screenings available for women and men.

Today, State Senators Mattie Hunter and Donne Trotter backed a bipartisan funding proposal to restore the state’s critical social services.

"Keeping our social safety net intact will help residents in needs find the services that keep them healthy, safe and for many youth, off of the streets," said Hunter, a member of the Senate Human Services and Public Health committees. "These critical dollars will help prevent our youth from entering the criminal justice system by creating educational and occupational opportunities for them."

CHICAGO - In efforts to reduce identity theft, Chicago elected officials are hosting a free document shredding and electronic recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 7 at 1254 N. State Parkway on the State Street parking lot.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, state Sen. Mattie Hunter and state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz are teaming with NewTech E-Scrap Recycling to help residents safely discard important documents and old electronics.

Attendees can bring up to three boxes worth of materials to discard.

For more information call Alderman Brian Hopkins' 2nd Ward office at 312-643-2299 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.