Illinois residents who purchase health insurance through a health exchange will continue to receive federal tax subsidies thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling 6-3 in favor of upholding Affordable Care Act subsidies today. State Senator Mattie Hunter applauds the Supreme Court justices’ decision in the following statement:

“Illinois stood out in front of the Affordable Care Act debate. We are the home of its origins and proudly stand behind the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to make health care affordable by upholding ACA subsidies. The federal tax subsidies will allow hardworking residents with low incomes to have access to the care they need for their families.”

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For many Illinois households, energy costs place a severe and continuing stress on a family’s budget. In response to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed suspension of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, designed to help eligible low income households pay for utilities, State Senators Mattie Hunter and Jacqueline Y. Collins are joining Representative Esther Golar, AARP, CUB and CCAP on Monday, June 29, for a LIHEAP Town Hall.

“Every utility rate payer in Illinois pays into LIHEAP, which helps protect seniors, the disabled and low-income families from facing eviction due to high energy costs and weather-related illnesses. While Governor Rauner is calling to eliminate this program, I am meeting with the public to save a crucial service that thousands of Illinoisans rely upon every year,” said Hunter, chairperson of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

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A delegation of international dignitaries met with State Senator Mattie Hunter on June 19 to discuss government transparency and anti-corruption efforts as part of a global exchange. Hunter presented diplomats from Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan and Pakistan with certificates commemorating the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

“Building relationships with international diplomats strengthens Illinois. Foreign officials can learn from our progress in government accountability and we can learn from their efforts abroad,” said Hunter, who created good government task forces and advisory boards including the Illinois Youth Advisory Board.

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