CHICAGO - To ensure legalized cannabis is implemented in a safe, fair, and equitable manner for all communities, City of Chicago will host community information sessions this week to provide community members with opportunities to submit questions, provide public input, and learn more about the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis in Chicago and statewide starting on Jan. 1, 2020.

These meetings build on continued engagement the City has undertaken to ensure community perspectives are considered as new cannabis regulations are developed. Earlier this year, the City partnered with aldermen and zoning administrators to gain input on zoning regulations, which have been approved by City Council. Approvals on zoning for new cannabis dispensaries and businesses will be taken up only after community meetings are held, starting in 2020.

Dates and locations are as follows. More information can be found at the links below.

• Dec. 5: Malcolm X College
• Dec. 6: Chicago State University

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) convened the Senate Transportation Committee today for the first time as chair to consider legislation to study the use of red light cameras in Illinois.

The Senate Transportation Committee approved Senate Bill 1297, which orders the Illinois Department of Transportation to conduct a study to evaluate the use and effectiveness of automated traffic law enforcement systems, or red light cameras.

“I still have a lot of unanswered questions about the effectiveness of red light cameras and whether or not they make our roadways safer,” Hunter said. “This legislation gives us the answers we need to move forward.”

Red light cameras have been a source of frustration, and even anxiety, for Illinois motorists since they were first legalized in 2006.

Studies aimed at measuring the effectiveness of red light cameras in making intersections safer have produced mixed results.

According to reports in the press, red light cameras have generated over $1 billion in revenue for local governments in Illinois over the past decade.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) was appointed Chair of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee today.

“I look forward to working with Gov. Pritzker and IDOT officials to move forward with our historic Rebuild Illinois plan and other public safety issues to ensure the future of our critical infrastructure across the state,” Hunter said.

Hunter’s leadership will place a renewed focus on improving fairness in the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway’s procurement processes. In 2016, she passed legislation creating the Fair Practices In Contracting Task Force, which is charged with making recommendations for removing barriers to minority-owned business participation in state procurement.

“This issue still lacks the appropriate attention from state leaders. Racial disparities in the awarding of state contracts are widening. When African-American businesses are shut out of opportunities, our communities are shut out of economic development and our families are shut out of jobs,” Hunter said. “It’s time to get serious about eliminating racial bias in the bidding process and systemic barriers to equity in state contracting.”

Hunter’s other immediate priorities as Chair of the Transportation Committee include:

• Seeking ways to make public transportation more accessible and affordable, particularly in underserved communities.
• Reviving the Disadvantaged Business Revolving Loan Program to provide capital necessary for properly certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises – small, minority and female-owned businesses - to finance IDOT project-specific work, acquire valuable work experience and establish or rebuild credit lines.
• Conducting a study to evaluate the usage of controversial red-light cameras throughout the state.
• Increasing the number of minority-, veteran- and woman-owned businesses engaged in state and local government contracting.
• Ensuring transparent and efficient implementation of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago, 3^rd) announced today that adult literacy programs in her district will receive nearly $400,000 in state grants.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the grants through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills.

“I am glad that the secretary of state recognizes the important role in encouraging intellectual growth and economic development,” Hunter said. “Communities rich in educational and creative opportunities can attract a strong workforce and successful businesses, as well as help sustain a positive quality of life. This much needed increase in funding will help us continue to provide literacy training and ESL programs for adult learners and their families.”

The programs receiving funding in Hunter’s district are:

• Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, Chicago: $47,900
• Literacy Chicago, Literacy Adult Program, Chicago: $100,000
• De La Salle Institute, Chicago: $50,000
• Heartland Human Care Services, Adult Volunteer Literacy Project, Chicago: $70,000
• Heartland Human Care Services, Immigrant Family Literacy Project, Chicago: $50,000
• Heartland Human Care Services, Refugee Family Literacy Project, Chicago: $50,000
• Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition: $15,000
• Literacy Works, Chicago: $20,000

A total of 14,352 learners will be served by adult literacy programs around the state. A total of 6,086 volunteer tutors will provide training for learners putting them on the path to lifelong learning. Adult literacy projects help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level to improve their reading, writing, math or use of English as a new language.

In total, the secretary of state’s office awarded $5.6 million in grants to adult literacy programs around the state.

To learn more about adult literacy grant programs, visit https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/literacy/adultlit-grants-overview.html.