Remember when Gov. Rauner wanted to eliminate DCFS scholarships? Senator Hunter does.

Three years ago, a young woman sat at the witness table in a Senate budget hearing, telling lawmakers what the Department of Children and Family Services scholarship program meant to her.

It meant that a former foster child, taken into state care and custody after being neglected and abandoned, had been able to attend college. It had given her a chance to strive for a brighter future otherwise foreign. She was committed to not being another foster care statistic. The DCFS scholarship empowered her commitment.

Lauretta Schaefer told her story to lawmakers in 2015 because Gov. Bruce Rauner wanted to cancel her scholarship and dozens of others. She would have had to drop out. Kids like her would never get the chance to enroll. It was part of Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda designed to wipeout programs the new governor deemed unworthy or unaffordable.

I’ve always found this early moment in the Rauner administration particularly offensive.

Here you had a governor saying the state should be competitive but compassionate. Yet, one of his first moves was to bring the budget ax down on a competitively awarded scholarship program that benefits wards of the state, who have suffered through all kinds of personal turmoil only to emerge academically successful and eager to take the next step toward improving their lives.

Read more …

Hunter hosts 15th annual health, fun and fitness fair

CHICAGO – Over the weekend, thousands of children, families and residents filled the Illinois Institute of Technology’s campus to receive free health services, thanks to State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

Hunter hosted her annual health fair with State Representatives Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) and Juliana Stratton (D-Chicago), Institute for Positive Living, Human Resource Development Institute, ComEd and more. Fair highlights included free physicals, health screenings and immunizations.

“I look forward to hosting this event for our community every year,” Hunter said. “We understand how difficult it can be to afford regular doctor visits or receive immunizations every year, and this is a way to provide necessary health services and give back to the community.”

The event also served as an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives to violence and breast cancer, with commemorative balloon releases. Hunter released pink balloons with Carolyn Adams’ family, the namesake of the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, in honor of those who lost loved ones to breast cancer. Gatherers released red balloons alongside the Hunter family while calling out the names of victims of violence.

Read more …

Hunter to host annual Health, Fun, and Fitness Fair Aug. 4

Hunter supports bipartisan budget deal for the betterment of the state

 State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) issued the following statement after today’s bipartisan vote on a balanced budget:

“We’ve been working to reach a bipartisan budget agreement for months. Today, we came together to make important investments in our state’s future by passing a deal that funds critical programs that serve all Illinoisans.

“The package we passed includes funds to education, MAP grants, addiction treatment and childcare services. All of these programs are essential to the lives of our citizens and should not be reduced or cut from the budget.

“The lack of affordable childcare is truly tearing at the fabric of my community. Some mothers are forced to make difficult decisions on how to care for their families while still making an honest living. The governor’s budget proposal slashed the Child Care Assistance Program leaving many mothers few or no options at all for childcare.

“I am pleased that the plan we passed today restores funding the Child Care Assistance Program, which also includes a significant rate increase.

“Those afflicted by the opioid epidemic also remained near and dear to my heart this legislative session as I vowed to support and sponsor legislation to curb the problem. This budget plan puts nearly $2 million toward the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program, which will save many lives.

“Again, I think we are on the right track as a legislative body and I was so happy to support a measure that will stabilize the lives of individuals and families in this state.”