Sen. Hunter supports emergency funding for higher ed, human services

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Senate passed an emergency funding bill, with bipartisan support, to keep public universities open, help MAP grant recipients attend classes and provide human services.

“We’ve been fighting the governor since last May to keep the doors of our colleges and human service organizations open,” said State Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). “Today, I supported keeping colleges and vital human services afloat while we continue working on ending the budget impasse.”

Senate Bill 2059 will provide funding for public universities, community colleges, city colleges and MAP grant recipients.

The Illinois Senate also passed Senate Bill 2047, which provides emergency funding for critical human services.

Senate Bills 2059 and 2047 passed the Senate 55-0. Senate Bill 2047 now goes to the House for further consideration.

Senators bring awareness to anti-religious hate crimes (Updated with video)

SPRINGFIELD – Chicago senators took on hate in a statehouse press conference by recognizing April 19 as Illinois Muslim Action Day.

Senate Resolution 1748 recognizes the national Take on Hate Day and efforts to fight anti-religious hate crimes.

State Sens. Mattie Hunter and Jacqueline Y. Collins joined the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) for a press conference and recognized pages for the day on the Senate floor.

"The great state of Illinois has always welcomed, supported and protected people of all races, religions and walks of life," said Hunter, sponsor of the resolution. "We must work together to inspire a movement to restore our inherent American value that all people deserve to live free of bigotry, hate and violence."

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Free document shredding, electronic recycling event

CHICAGO - In efforts to reduce identity theft, Chicago elected officials are hosting a free document shredding and electronic recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 7 at 1254 N. State Parkway on the State Street parking lot.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, state Sen. Mattie Hunter and state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz are teaming with NewTech E-Scrap Recycling to help residents safely discard important documents and old electronics.

Attendees can bring up to three boxes worth of materials to discard.

For more information call Alderman Brian Hopkins' 2nd Ward office at 312-643-2299 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Money for teens, violence prevention passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Youth relying on after-school, employment and violence prevention programs are one step closer to having their needs met thanks to legislation that passed out of the Senate today.

Sen. Mattie Hunter of Chicago voted in favor of a budget plan to fund youth-targeted programs and reduce violence.

"Keeping our after-school programs and pipelines to employment open for teens keeps them off of the street," said Hunter, a member of the Senate Human Services Committee. 'Illinois' youth can no longer be used a bargaining chips in distracting debate over the governor's turnaround agenda. In Chicago, having a safe place to go and access to jobs is a matter of life and death for too many of our young people."

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