Senator Hunter: This is a solution that gives us certainty and stability

State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) issued the following statement after today’s budget legislation votes:

We’ve been working to reach a bipartisan budget agreement for months. The plan we passed today is a solution that gives us certainty and stability.

The budget package will fully fund the next fiscal year which includes funds to education, MAP grants, breast and cervical cancer screening, addiction treatment and funding for programs like Teen Reach. All of these programs are essential and work to restore and improve the quality of life for our constituents.         

The state of Illinois has been longing for fiscal certainty for almost two years. Because of this, many statewide businesses operated on hope. I’m glad, on this day, we were
able to provide them with more. We were able to come together despite our political differences to change the status quo.
            
It is my hope that the Governor will join us in signing the budget plan. The people of this state have suffered long enough. They shouldn’t have to wait any longer because the time is now.

Hunter: Radogno has been a huge piece in our political puzzle

Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) issued the following statement regarding Christine Radogno’s decision to step down as Republican Leader:

“Leader Radogno has not only been a leading public servant, but she has been an outstanding role model for legislators on both sides of the aisle,” Hunter said.

“Her time as a state senator has been truly beneficial for the state of Illinois. Her willingness to extend a hand to the other side of the aisle is truly commendable. She has been a huge piece in our political puzzle I am sad to see her leave. I appreciate her bipartisan efforts and I wish her all the best.”

Senator Hunter: We cannot continue to fail our young people

In an effort to address the growing number of out-of-school and jobless youth in Illinois, legislation sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) passed both legislative chambers, which will create a statewide task force to develop programs and opportunities for this rapidly increasing population.

“We cannot continue to fail our young people,” said Hunter. “The first step to fixing this problem is listening to the young people who will become our next leaders. When I talk to youth in my district their number one request is to bring jobs to the community. We need to further our support for programs that will help keep our youth active and will put them to meaningful work, especially youth in communities where their only other option may be to turn to the streets.”

The University of Illinois at Chicago released a report in 2016 that states there were 190,945 youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 years old who were jobless and not in school in Illinois. Other studies have found 88 percent of black teens in Chicago aged 16 to 19 are unemployed. In Chicago, 85 percent of Hispanic teens in the same age range are unemployed compared to 71 percent nationwide.

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Hunter: Minority-owned businesses are a huge part of the economic and social progress of the American workforce

Today, members of the Senate’s Executive Committee called a special hearing to question a Rauner administration agency head over a questionable contract to streamline a state employee health insurance process. Central Management Services Director Michael Hoffman was asked to testify about the deep concerns expressed by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) and other legislators surrounding previous mismanagement and poorly executed actions of the agency.

The subcommittee took place after the Associated Press reported that Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration purposefully ignored state guidelines aimed to encourage minority-owned business opportunities. The investigation also revealed that the administration awarded the contract to Georgia-based Morneau Shepell, a suspected favored contractor.

“While there are number of issues with the online employee benefits system, the initial procurement procedures are also extremely alarming considering the guidelines for minority-owned businesses were left out,” said Hunter. “Minority-owned businesses are a huge part of the economic and social progress of the American workforce. It’s a shame we have a governor that campaigns on growing businesses in the state of Illinois but makes it harder for minorities to succeed.”

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