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.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) to extend the time a drug and alcohol offender has to file a motion to overrule his or her conviction.

Currently, if an individual has successfully completed alcohol or drug addiction treatment as a condition of probation, he or she faces a short, 30-day window to find housing, transportation and employment.

The bill would extend the 30-day timeframe to 60 days following a successful discharge from probation and allow ex-offenders to ask a judge to vacate his or her conviction.

"This bill makes it easier for people to get back on their feet,” Hunter said. If people have served their time and corrected their wrongs, they should have longer than a month to restart their lives."

CHICAGO- In response to the gun violence during the weekend, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is calling for greater commitment to violence prevention and youth programs.

At least 60 people were shot, and four killed, over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Halfway through this year, there have been nearly 315 murders, more than 1,600 shootings and 1,953 shooting victims in Chicago.

“Rather than focusing on youth programs as a costly burden we need to focus on the costs of lives lost to gun violence,” Hunter said.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) helped pass a budget plan that would allow schools in Chicago to open on time in the fall.

The legislation would provide $250 million for P-12 schools, of which $95 million would go to Chicago Public Schools. After-school programs are expected to receive $15 million.

“Without state support for after-school programs funding and jobs, life on the streets for at-risk youth would increase,” Hunter said. “Young people across Illinois rely on jobs and after school care to keep them safe.”