SPRINGFIELD – Over 128,000 low-income college students who rely upon MAP grants may soon receive funding. Today, Chicago Democrats State Senators Mattie Hunter, Donne Trotter and the Illinois Senate passed legislation to fund the MAP colleges and community colleges.

“Our teens have suffered enough during the budget impasse. I’m proud we passed funding to help MAP grant recipients continue their schooling,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter, co-sponsor of the bill. “We should continue fighting to keep great institutions such as Chicago State University open as well.”

The plan provides over $397 million in funding for students who were in limbo for attaining a college degree. Statewide community colleges are set to receive $260 million, as well.

New legislation creating law enforcement reforms was signed into law today. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago, 3) supported the bipartisan push for officer-worn body camera protocols.

“Law enforcement reforms help protect the safety of both officers on duty and citizens. Our communities are stronger when there is trust and practices in place to create accountability,” Hunter said.

Every morning, students gather around their school’s cafeteria to eat breakfast. Among every five children in school, at least one will not eat breakfast. Hunger makes school harder for the 23 percent of Illinois children who are food insecure.

February 23-27 marks Illinois School Breakfast Week, a time to acknowledge the lingering hunger gap in the state.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Illinois No Kid Hungry and other partners launched the Rise and Shine Illinois campaign to advocate for expanding school breakfast.

In 2013, roughly 449,000 children did not receive breakfasts available to them despite growing participation in breakfast programs.

The Rise and Shine Illinois campaign urges residents to take the breakfast pledge today.

“Children need a well-balanced and nutritious breakfast every morning. Kids perform better in school when they aren’t hungry,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter, member of the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee. “That’s why I’m pledging to see no child hungry in Illinois.”

Next week, March 2-6 also marks National School Breakfast Week. The Illinois School Nutrition Association asks people to join the national conversation about providing nutritious meal options for all students in America.

SPRINGFIELD — Senate Majority Caucus Whip Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following in response to today’s State of the State address:

“The governor needs to realize these problems are his problems, too.

“Residents who work hard every day, providing for their families, are waiting for real answers.

“I want to work with the governor. However, his actions aren’t keeping up with his rhetoric. Cutting $7 million from at-risk youth employment grants doesn’t make our state competitive. Nor, is it compassionate.

“We need to find common ground solutions. Paying people less and cutting services just doesn’t add up to me.”