CHICAGO–  The University of Chicago will open its first trauma center on the city’s South Side. The university broke ground Sept. 15 as city and state leaders announced the benefits of the location being on the university’s campus. The new unit is expected to save lives and create 1,000 permanent jobs for students and Chicago-area residents.

The project was announced in September when the university originally pledged to help open a trauma center at Holy Cross Hospital. In addition to the trauma center, the layout proposal included the construction of a larger emergency room and an expansion plan to the current cancer treatment facility.

“For years, residents have been forced to travel to the suburbs and other areas for quality care,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).  “It’s important that trauma patients are transported to the right hospitals where they can be properly treated. Due to the extremely high levels of violence in many communities around the city’s South Side, I’m hopeful the new center will save lives and provide services to those who need immediate medical attention.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new effort to expand diversity in state contracting is being lauded by members of the Illinois Senate’s black caucus as a positive move that will improve the economy and open doors to qualified minorities, women and disabled business owners who want to do business with the state.

The sheltered market initiative will apply to information technology contracting by the State of Illinois and will help to address disparities and discrimination against minority and female business owners.

“This new pro-business initiative is a huge step toward economic growth,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). “As an advocate for sheltered markets, I am pleased to know Illinois will provide equal opportunity for all contractors. In the past we’ve seen far too many female and black business owners suffer at the hand of discrimination.”

SPRINGFIELD – Families will be able to communicate with incarcerated loved ones at lower costs because of legislation backed by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) that was signed into law Monday.

House Bill 6200 limits the rates charged for telephone usage by prison inmates and prohibits additional service fees. It would cap rates at 7 cents per minute and remove excess charges.

The law aims to address the legal and social injustice of the extreme costs families face when communicating with their children, family and friends.

“Our prison system should be a place for growth and rehabilitation, not profit,” said Hunter, who co-sponsored the measure in the Senate. “It’s a shame families are faced with a costly burden while maintaining communication with their loved ones. The expense keeps inmates away from their families when I feel they need them most.”

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the governor vetoed a measure that could have increased youth participation in state elections. Senate Bill 250 would have created an automatic voter registration for Illinoisans.

Under current law, Illinois has an opt-in voter registration system where the default status is unregistered. The burden is with individual voters to register.

"I’m hopeful to see revised legislation in the coming months the governor can agree upon. Increasing youth voter participation will allow a necessary voice in our political system,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), a career advocate for youth rights. “Making it easier for residents to vote, especially young people, is important and should supported.”