State Senator Mattie Hunter saw her efforts pay off when her sponsored legislation promoting youth employment and jobs passed the Senate Tuesday. 

“With Illinois’ dismal current economic climate, college graduates are having difficulty finding gainful employment, much less adolescents just being introduced to the work world,” Hunter said. “This legislation will assist youth employment and help lay a foundation for cleaning up the youth violence and public safety issues devastating our communities.”

SB 1323 provides for the Department of Economic Opportunity to administer a competitive grant program to provide up to 5,000 youths with stipends and/or wages as well as supervised, age-appropriate work experience for a 52-week, year-round employment program.

“We must invest in Illinois’ youth as they are undeniably our state’s future,” Hunter said. “With this bill we are enabling our young people to learn, grow and establish a solid work ethic.”

SB 1323 now awaits the further consideration of the Illinois House.