SPRINGFIELD – An effort to create more affordable housing for Illinois residents led by State Senators Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), and Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) passed the Senate Revenue Committee Wednesday afternoon.

“People are still reeling from the financial struggles brought on by the pandemic, and affordable housing is a necessity now more than ever,” Hunter said. “With many people behind on rent and struggling with unemployment, we have to have to do more to help renters.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative that would extend the student-assistance contribution tax credit, which passed the Senate Revenue Committee Wednesday.

“I am proud to sponsor this initiative to help parents get a head start on saving for their children’s college expenses,” Hunter said. “Children who have a savings account are more likely to go to college, so it is important to encourage planning early.”

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CHICAGO – After months of work to extend health care access to more Illinoisans, members of the Illinois Legislative Democratic Caucus are celebrating the extension of Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months postpartum. Illinois is the first state in the nation to extend coverage to ensure low-income mothers receive the support they need in the critical months following giving birth.

“We know that a significant share of pregnancy-associated deaths are preventable, and in 2021, mothers should absolutely not be dying from preventable causes after they give birth,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who sits on the Senate Committee on Healthcare Access and Availability. “Extending Medicaid benefits to mothers for 12 months postpartum is a critical step toward reducing the maternal morbidity and mortality rate.”

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