CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) will serve as an Illinois ambassador in her new position of State Director to the Women in Government Foundation, Inc. The new role will help Hunter drive commerce and educational opportunities in the state.

“Bringing best practices, cutting-edge research and information back to Illinois can help us in our time of need,” said Hunter. “I’m looking forward to working with women legislators from across the nation to move our states forward.”

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CHICAGO – As Illinois faces another year without a state budget, Republican legislative leaders announced the governor’s plan for a state takeover of Chicago Public Schools instead of a budgetary plan. In response, Senate leader Mattie Hunter released the following statement:

“Bankruptcy may work for corporations but it doesn’t work for our children in Chicago,” said Majority Caucus Whip Mattie Hunter, (D-Chicago, 3rd district). “Shortchanging our kids, teachers and communities for partisan points is a new low, even for Rauner.”

In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., let us honor his memory by restoring and preserving the sense of family in our communities. Let us work together to ensure our neighborhoods are safer and stronger tomorrow than they are today. Let us provide services for the vulnerable and create fair, equal opportunities for all Americans to have a safe home, a good job and a hope for a prosperous future.

CHICAGO – In the wake of the latest police shooting in Chicago, Sen. Mattie Hunter is calling for legislation to require Chicago’s police department to increase crisis intervention training and availability and use of non-lethal devices, such as Tasers.

“Every police car should be equipped with a Taser or similar, non-lethal device.  We are seeing tragic incidents of people shot and killed when no one’s life is at risk. Lethal force should be a last resort, not a first response. In this day and age, alternative resources and technology exist that should be utilized,” said Hunter.

In addition to expanded availability of non-lethal devices, Hunter wants additional crisis intervention training for officers and dispatchers so responding officers are better prepared for handling situations involving domestic violence and people with mental health issues.

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