SPRINGFIELD — Building upon her work to establish a task force for missing and murdered Chicago women, State Senator Mattie Hunter advanced a bill Wednesday that would add two seats to the task force reserved for Chicago police officers.

“Local police officers have firsthand experience with missing persons cases,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “It’s been noted that the data collection processes surrounding these cases is not up to the level it should be. We need to bring the Chicago Police Department to the table to hear what their practices are, how information is being managed and how we can move forward with effective solutions.”

The Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, established through legislation Hunter passed in 2022, is studying methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and working to develop strategies to reduce violence and prevent future tragedies. The task force meets monthly and is due to submit its first report to the General Assembly by Dec. 31.

SPRINGFIELD — A longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, State Senator Mattie Hunter declared May 1, 2024 as AKA Day in Illinois in recognition of the sorority’s history of uplifting women, building friendships and giving back to the community.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha is a cornerstone of the African American community, providing a platform for service and sisterhood,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Throughout the country and beyond, AKA chapters play an important role in empowering Black women, equipping them with the skills and support needed to become leaders of positive change.”

Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest African American sorority in the United States. With over 360,000 members in chapters across the world, AKA’s mission is to cultivate scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, help alleviate problems concerning women, maintain a progressive interest in college life and be of “service to all mankind.”

Hundreds of Alpha Kappa Alpha members from throughout the state traveled to Springfield on Wednesday for AKA Day at the Capitol. Hunter has been an active AKA member since 2006, joining a legacy of notable members including Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King and Vice President Kamala Harris, and in Illinois, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and State Representative Kimberly Du Buclet, who represents a portion of the 3rd Senate District.

SPRINGFIELD — To raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health, particularly among minority communities, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a resolution declaring April 2024 as Minority Health Month in Illinois.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death among minority populations. We need to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources to best manage their health,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By taking a proactive approach, we not only promote healthier lives but can alleviate strain on our health care system.”

Senate Resolution 738 urges Illinoisans to learn more about risk factors for cardiovascular disease, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels — commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol” — which can be significantly influenced by an individual’s health habits. The measure also urges the Illinois Department of Public Health to update the state’s cardiovascular plan to accelerate improvements for better health outcomes among individuals with cardiovascular disease and calls for increased cholesterol tests during April.

SPRINGFIELD — Individuals with asthma could see significant savings on their prescription inhalers thanks to legislation from State Senator Mattie Hunter that passed the Senate on Thursday.

“No one should struggle to afford their medication while big companies profit,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “While insurance plans cover a portion of asthma treatment costs, we can do more to eliminate the barriers individuals face when trying to manage this long-term condition.”

Senate Bill 3203 limits the cost an individual with health insurance pays for an inhaler to $25 for a 30-day supply. Under Hunter’s measure, health insurance providers would be prohibited from denying or limiting coverage for prescription inhalers beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

According to Illinois Department of Public Health data from 2018, more than 850,000 adults and 160,000 children in the state are diagnosed with asthma. Despite insurance coverage, many individuals still face out-of-pocket expenses ranging from $180 to $300 per month for inhalers. This legislation aims to alleviate this financial burden on asthma patients.

“In Illinois, we continue to prioritize residents’ needs by tackling rising medical costs, including limiting the price of EpiPens and insulin,” said Hunter. “This is one more step toward making health care affordable and accessible to those who need it.”

Senate Bill 3203 moves to the House for further consideration.