Senator Hunter's youth employment plan becomes law

 Former wards of the state will soon have access to internships and potential employment opportunities. A youth employment jobs plan, creating the Foster Youth Summer Internship Program, was signed into law today.

“Our at-risk youth face the harsh challenges of either finding employment or facing joblessness, homelessness and even incarceration. Preventing a pipeline to prison will empower our future leaders and grow our economy,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter, the bill’s sponsor.

A 2011 Northwestern University study showed Illinois had the third largest number of youth in the country who were aging out of the foster care system without parental support at 21 percent.

Read more …

VIDEO: Sen. Hunter, Institute for Positive Living, IIT’s health fair is a success

Over the weekend, several hundred Chicago youth, adults and seniors attended State Senator Mattie Hunter’s 12th Annual Health, Fun and Fitness Fair on the South Side. Free health services and back-to-school supplies were offered.

Mourning families joined the Hunter family for commemorative balloon releases for violence prevention and breast cancer awareness. Hunter released pink balloons with Carolyn Adams’ family, the namesake of the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, in honor of those who lost loved ones to breast cancer. Gatherers released red balloons alongside the Hunter family while calling out the names of victims of violence.

Read more …

New law promotes specialized care for medically-complex individuals with developmental disabilities

A new act to protect medically-complex individuals with developmental disabilities was recently signed into law. State Senator Mattie Hunter’s initiative ensures residents in specialized care facilities will be afforded the opportunity to address issues that are unique and distinct to their population.

“Residents with life-long developmental disabilities receive care from as young as three months to 75 years of age,” said Hunter, a career advocate for public health and human services. “Protecting the ten specialized facilities across Illinois will make sure patients receive better care.”

Read more …

Sen. Hunter invites families of victims of violence to balloon release

Chicago families who have lost loved ones to violence are invited to join State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), who recently lost her nephews to violence, for a commemorative balloon release on Saturday, August 1st at the 12th Annual Health, Fun and Fitness Fair.

The balloon releases will be held at 10:45 a.m. at the Illinois Institute of Technology, located at 33rd and State Street. Local ministers will gather for a call-to-action against violence.

“Restoring the family structure in our neighbors can end violence. I want to stand with families in mourning to celebrate the lives of our loved ones. Together, we must all consciously commit to changing the community culture of crime, death and despair,” Hunter said.

Read more …