CHICAGO — Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Mattie Hunter, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of more than $1.2 million for bridge improvements along I-55.

“The Rebuild Illinois plan continues to bring much-needed improvements and investments throughout our state,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By modernizing our infrastructure and prioritizing safer roads and bridges, we are creating good-paying jobs and improving connectivity among our communities.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, $1.2 million will go toward bridge work at Michigan Avenue and the Stevenson Expressway within Hunter’s district.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“This budget upholds our commitment to supporting Illinois families while prioritizing investments in our youth, health care systems and social services, laying the foundation for an equitable future for residents across our state.

“Building on our promise to our state’s youngest, this plan allocates funding for K-12 education and need-based grants, ensuring every child has access to quality learning environments from early childhood to higher education. A $200 million investment in after-school and summer youth programs will provide safe, enriching spaces for children to learn, grow and develop socially.

SPRINGFIELD — Despite making up only 2% of Chicago’s population, Black women and girls account for about 30% of the city’s missing persons cases — an alarming disparity that remains the key focus of the Task Force for Missing and Murdered Chicago Women. To support ongoing efforts to address this issue, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a bill through the Senate on Sunday that would add two seats to the task force for Chicago police officers.

“The number of missing Black women and girls — and families left without answers — is unacceptable,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Chicago police officers’ firsthand experience with these cases, paired with improved data practices, will be instrumental in finding these women and ensuring justice is served.”

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 — 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.