CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter announced the launch of her Summer Book Club to encourage young readers within the 3rd Senate District to stay engaged over summer break.

“Reading helps us learn and develop our imaginations and provides an escape from our everyday lives,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “I hope students will explore libraries this summer and find a few books that interest them.”

To participate in the Summer Book Club, students must read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Hunter’s office by Aug. 18. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and certificate.

Book club forms are available to download online or can be requested by calling Hunter’s district office at 312-949-1908.

CHICAGO — To share important legislative and state budget updates, State Senator Mattie Hunter is holding a town hall on June 28 with State Representatives Kim du Buclet and Sonya Harper.

“This meeting will offer important updates on funding and legislation that impacts those in our community,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “I invite everyone to come out and meet me and Representatives du Buclet and Harper and take part in a productive discussion.”

The town hall will be held Wednesday, June 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Insight Hospital in the Great Room on the 12th floor. Attendees should enter through the hospital’s main entrance at 2524 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago.

The event is free and open to the public with light refreshments served. Registration is encouraged by calling Senator Hunter’s district office at 312-949-1908.

SPRINGFIELD — To further reinforce the goals of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Mattie Hunter’s legislation that removes obsolete language from the Children and Family Services Act was signed into law.

“DCFS services are meant to be temporary, and our focus should remain on reuniting children with their families or placing them in safe, permanent homes,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This law makes these goals clear and ensures the language within this important act is current and compliant.”

Amending the Children and Family Services Act, the new law provides that DCFS is responsible for placing children in permanent family homes through guardianship or adoption — rather than adoptive homes — when restoration to the biological family is not safe, possible or appropriate. The measure clarifies DCFS’ responsibility for children or youth whose jurisdiction could not be clearly named as under one individual agency, or whose services may be provided by multiple agencies, and reaffirms that welfare services offered by DCFS are intended to be temporary until safe reunification or timely and permanent placement can be achieved.

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SPRINGFIELD — Residents struggling to pay their gas or electric bills will not face life-threatening utility shutoffs on hot days thanks to an initiative sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter that was signed into law Friday.

“This is a major victory for public health and the people of Illinois,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Heat is extremely dangerous, and families should not be put in harm’s way due to their financial circumstances.”

The legislation amends the Public Utilities Act to prohibit a utility company from terminating gas or electric service due to nonpayment of bills on days when the forecasted temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat watch, advisory or warning for the location of the residence. Previously, disconnections were prohibited during temperatures 95 degrees or hotter and did not take into account humidity or heat index.

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