CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is encouraging Chicago residents, particularly in underserved communities, to help secure their fair share of federal funding and protect their voice in government by completing the 2020 Census.

“Many of the neighborhoods I represent recorded some of the lowest response rates in Chicago during the 2010 Census. Those same communities continue to face long-standing racial disparities in health-care access and quality and have been among the hardest hit by COVID-19,” Hunter said. “With health-care dollars on the line, a full and accurate census count is more important than ever.”

In 2010, the city of Chicago had a final response rate of 66%. So far this year, the city’s response rate is down, currently only at 50.1%.

Although online is the quickest way to fill out the questionnaire, there are three ways you can respond: online, by phone or by mail. Hunter also pointed out that higher self-response rates mean fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in-person. This year, census surveyors are putting the health of themselves and their families at risk from COVID-19.

“Completing the census is easier than ever before,” Hunter said. “By taking 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire, you’re bringing more than $18,000 per person to your community over the next decade. This money supports our public schools, economic opportunity, housing, family programs, and so many more vital aspects of our community.”

If you haven’t filled out your census questionnaire yet, you can visit 2020census.gov, where you can find the online questionnaire and additional information about the census. To see local response rates across Illinois and the entire nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is urging eligible small business owners to apply for the new Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program launched by the City of Chicago this week.

“Family-owned microbusinesses are the foundation of Chicago’s beauty, culture, and neighborhood commerce,” Hunter said. “While they don’t qualify for many federal small business relief opportunities, they are equipped with far less cash reserves than many businesses that do, making them more prone to permanent closure due to COVID-19.”

Chosen via lottery, the program will award 1,000 businesses with four or fewer employees a one-time grant of $5,000. The grant money, funded entirely by private donations, must be used as working capital for expenses such as payroll, rent, insurance or taxes.

The relief program is aimed at providing relief to businesses primarily owned by minorities and immigrants, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters.

“I appreciate the city taking action to help make sure small businesses in my community don’t slip through the cracks,” Hunter said. “I encourage every microbusiness owner in need to apply for assistance.”

According to city officials, microbusinesses make up roughly half of Chicago businesses and a significant portion are minority- and immigrant-owned.

To be eligible for a grant, businesses must meet the following requirements:

• Four or fewer employees
• Less than $250,000 annual revenue
• In business for at least one year
• 25% decrease in revenue due to COVID-19
• Located in a low- or moderate-income community area 

A map of eligible community areas can be found here.

Applications are available in English and Spanish on the City of Chicago’s website and are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2020.

Applicants must provide a valid ID and completed W-9 form. CityKey is an accepted form of ID. Recipients will be chosen on May 11 and issued their grant within two business days.

Thanks to the generosity of local business owners, Alderman Leslie Hairston's office will hold a face mask give away for 5th Ward residents on Friday, May 1.

Masks will be distributed at 11 a.m. at 7351 S. Stony Island Ave., and at 2 p.m. at 60th and Stony Island Ave.

Reminder: May 1 is also the first day Illinoisans will be required under Gov. Pritzker's latest Stay At Home order to wear a face-covering or a mask in public places where a six-foot social distance isn't possible.

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is emphasizing the importance of safe sleep for infants during a time when many parents are experiencing heightened stress levels and alternative daily routines, which could include new caregivers for their children.

Parents should remember the ABC’s of sleep safety. A child should be alone and never sleeping with someone else, placed on their back and not on their sides or stomach, and in a crib rather than on a bed or couch.

“Some families, especially those of essential workers, are developing new daily routines during this unprecedented time, which could include new child care providers or caregivers,” Hunter said. “I would encourage every parent to have a conversation with any alternative caregiver about the ABC’s of sleep and other rules for a safe sleep environment.”

Sleep suffocation is the leading cause of reported child deaths in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Last year, between January 1 and June 30, 53 infants in Illinois under the age of 1 died as a result of being put to sleep unsafely. Being placed in a location to sleep other than a crib, bassinet or pack and play; lying in positions that weren’t on their back; or co-sleeping lead to the deaths.

Babies are safest when they are alone in a crib with a firm mattress and tightly-fitted sheets. The crib should not have any pillows, blankets or stuffed animals. Additionally, a baby should never be put to sleep on an adult bed or couch.

“These are simple and vital steps every parent and caregiver should keep in mind when saying goodnight to a little one,” Hunter said. “There are many products on the market that promise to reduce the risk of accidental suffocation or SIDS, but parents should know that practicing the ABC’s of sleep is the safest measure we can take to ensure safe and healthy sleep for babies and infants.”

Parents having difficulty getting their baby to sleep should contact their pediatrician or the Fussy Baby Network at 1-888-431-BABY (2229) for professional guidance.

Parents can also visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Crib Safety Information Center for sleep safety tips and a list of recalled products.