CHICAGO — With a rich history as a hub for Black art, culture and business, Bronzeville has been recognized as a State-Designated Cultural District, announced State Senator Mattie Hunter. This designation unlocks access to funding to preserve the area’s legacy and support continued growth.

“Growing up in Bronzeville, I saw firsthand the lasting impact of the area’s vibrant history. Despite hardships, the neighborhood flourished and nurtured many influential Black figures we still know today,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This designation will help preserve Bronzeville’s legacy as a haven for Black excellence for generations to come.”

State-Designated Cultural Districts are communities, towns or specific geographic areas with a distinct shared historical and cultural identity that binds the community together. The program is designed to encourage economic development, support the preservation and development of historically and culturally significant structures, traditions and languages, foster local cultural development and education, celebrate communities’ unique cultural identities, and promote equitable growth and opportunity without generating displacement.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to the governor’s budget address Wednesday:

“Supporting our unhoused neighbors is one of my top priorities. It is vital that we continue to invest in assisting unhoused individuals through expanded access to affordable housing and rental assistance programs, along with building wraparound services to help lift families out of poverty. While asylum seekers who have arrived in Chicago need help, so do our longtime residents, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to prioritize the needs of our communities.

“It is encouraging to see that the governor remains committed to funding health and human services initiatives laid out in the fourth pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda, including addressing the state’s maternal mortality rate and supporting working families through the Child Care Assistance Program. The work continues as we address health disparities among Black Illinoisans and build a more equitable health care system.

“In the coming months, I look forward to negotiating a responsible budget that ensures the well-being of our state’s underserved populations.”

Nexamp plans to invest $2 billion in Illinois; commits to growing and expanding in the state with new jobs and development projects

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker, Nexamp, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined local leaders and partners to announce that Chicago will serve as Nexamp's second national headquarters. As the nation's largest community solar provider, Nexamp's expansion in Illinois will create 50 new jobs as part of more than $2 billion in planned investments in the state through its existing projects and development pipeline.

"Illinois's commitment to sustainable energy wouldn't be possible without innovative companies like Nexamp—and their decision to open a Chicago headquarters underscores the role Illinois is playing in the national solar conversation," said Governor JB Pritzker. "As solar energy companies like Nexamp expand throughout the Midwest, we see a ripple effect of job creation and skills-building that, just like clean energy itself, will benefit communities and generations for years to come."

The Pritzker Administration's landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) served as a catalyst for Nexamp to choose Illinois for its second headquarters location. With more than 30 Fortune 500 company headquarters in Illinois, the State of Illinois is no stranger to welcoming companies from near and far that are ready to call Illinois their home.

"Thanks to Governor Pritzker's leadership in securing the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, Illinois is our fastest growing market," said Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai. "But the state is far more than just an attractive market for solar generation—for Nexamp, it's a state which shares our vision of a cleaner, more equitable energy future powered by a diverse, equitable, and skilled workforce. As we sought a location for a second headquarters, Illinois was the natural choice because of our mutual interest in seeing clean energy work for - and do right by - everyone."

As a national leader on climate action, the State of Illinois continues to make and maintain critical relationships with companies such as Nexamp that are committed to putting Illinois on a path toward 100% clean energy. The transformative CEJA legislation invests in training a diverse workforce for the jobs of the future, institutes key ratepayer and residential customer protections, and prioritizes meaningful ethics and transparency reforms.

"Nexamp's decision to locate their new headquarters in Chicago after a positive experience in the state over the last five years is the latest example of why Illinois is the best place to live, work and do business," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "The State of Illinois shares a vision of a clean energy future with Nexamp, and together we will continue to build the jobs of the future in the clean energy ecosystem."

Nexamp's first Chicago office opened in 2019 with five team members and has grown to 80 team members in five years. Nexamp builds, owns, and operates community solar and storage projects that feed renewable energy to the power grid. The company has roughly 75 projects in operation or under development in Illinois that will create nearly 4,000 jobs and generate close to 300 MW of energy, which is enough to offset the power needs of 50,000 average households.

"This announcement is an incredible win for the State of Illinois," said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). "Nexamp's presence has and will continue to bring good paying clean energy jobs to the state and put Illinois on a path toward a more sustainable future."

CHIGAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter is encouraging organizations that work in the realm of prevention, care and treatment of sickle cell disease to apply for funding to increase services for people with the illness.

“Closing the gap in access to comprehensive care and preventative treatment that some communities experience is a step toward curbing the deep social impact and mortality rate of sickle cell disease,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This funding offers hope for improved outcomes and a better quality of life for those affected by this disease.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health will provide funding for eight organizations to grow innovative solutions to sickle cell disease. Organizations will be awarded grant funding with the goal of increasing access to comprehensive sickle cell treatment, pain management therapies, infusion centers, mental health resources and counseling opportunities for people with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.

Applications will be accepted until March 18 at 5 p.m. For more information and to apply, visit IDPHgrants.com and search for this program under “Current Grants” and “Health Promotion.”