CHICAGO – In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) partnered with Social Change to donate food and PPE at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church.

“People are still struggling to protect themselves from this virus while awaiting the wide distribution of the vaccine,” Hunter said. “PPE is still needed, and people are still in need of other basic necessities like food. Everyone loves to quote Dr. King, but those who follow in his footsteps are not as common.”

CHICAGO — The Senate Executive, Financial Institutions, Economic and Commerce Committees held a joint subject matter hearing on racial equity in lending and home ownership Thursday. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), who chairs the Executive Committee, called for equity in minority lending and ownership.

“Though discriminative practices, such as redlining, were outlawed by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, it is incredibly disheartening to see African Americans struggling from these same issues today,” Hunter said. “Large home ownership and lending gaps still exist and deprive Black Americans, and that needs to change.”

CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its first ever Lifetime Environmental Scorecard, which reveals each sitting legislator’s lifetime average score of all votes cast on bills affecting the environment in the General Assembly over the course of their entire legislative career. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) has been honored with a lifetime environmental score of 90.1%.

“My voting record on environmental issues reflects where I stand on the importance of taking action on climate change, fighting for clean air and water, and protecting our open spaces,” said Hunter. “I stand with the Illinois Environmental Council in making it a priority to protect our environment and the health and safety of the communities I represent in the General Assembly.”

CHICAGO – In an effort to combat record high unemployment rates during the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor announced two new grants aiming to create nearly 1,300 jobs across the state. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is encouraging job seekers to apply.

“This pandemic has shown us that there is a need for a different kind of essential worker,” Hunter said. “Workers such as contract tracers and food pantry workers are needed now more than ever. Many people who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 should consider these positions, which not only gives them a source of income but helps to serve their community in a time of need.”