Senate Democrats support state overdose plan and celebrate new behavioral health officer

CHICAGO – In order to combat the opioid epidemic, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are supporting the 2022 State of Illinois Overdose Action Plan, a comprehensive, equity-centric outline to change how Illinois deals with overdoses.

This plan prioritizes outreach to and engagement with individuals who are at risk for both fatal and non-fatal overdose due to drugs like synthetic opioids, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other substances.

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Hunter: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is our ancestor’s wildest dream

WASHINGTON, D.C. – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement after attending the U.S. Senate Confirmation Hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson:

“I was extremely privileged to witness the first confirmation hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Judge Jackson is the first Black woman to go through the nomination process to sit on the Supreme Court, and it was surreal to see it happen in the flesh.

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Reimagine Public Safety Grants

With Governor Pritzker more than doubling funding aimed at reducing firearm violence since he took office, eligible organizations can apply for over $150 million in state funding to further violence prevention efforts.

The grants are made possible through the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA), which aims to address the root causes of firearm violence in Illinois through targeted, integrated behavioral health services, access to economic opportunities, and violence interruption and prevention programs.

For more details on the above grants and the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, visit www.DHS.Illinois.gov/OFVP. All applicants must be GATA prequalified. To learn more check out IDHS’ GATA App.

Public Safety Town Hall Tuesday March 15

On Tuesday, March 15 from 5-6 p.m., I will host a town hall to discuss public safety concerns in our district along with Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart and Director Roe Conn. It will be streamed on Facebook live. I hope to see you there.