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CHICAGO – More than $25 million in state funding for youth employment and after-school programs is up for a vote in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“Once thriving after-school programs on Chicago’s South Side are struggling to remain open,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), a career advocate for youth jobs and violence prevention in the city. “Last year, I met teenage filmmakers at After School Matters who used their cameras to lead anti-violence efforts in our community. Now, those teens are at risk of losing the very activities that kept them safe during dangerous summers.”

SPRINGFIELD – The quality of Illinois foster care homes will improve for more than 13,000 children under legislation sponsored by state Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

Under current state law, foster parents considered unfit to raise children can re-apply one year after losing their license. House Bill 4966 would ensure that past performance of a foster home is taken into account for future licenses.

"Wards deserve the same quality households as their peers who live with their biological parents," Hunter said. "It is Illinois' responsibility to prevent a revolving door of unfit, neglectful and sometimes abusive foster parents from harming our children."

SPRINGFIELD – Youth participation in Illinois elections would increase under legislation that State Sen. Mattie Hunter voted for on Thursday.

The Illinois Senate passed a measure to create automatic voter registration for Illinoisans.

"Increasing youth participation will allow a necessary voice to be heard in our political system,” said Hunter, a career advocate for youth rights. “Today, we’re moving Illinois forward by making it easier for residents, especially young people, to exercise their voice and their right to vote.”

CHICAGO - Local students and residents attended an alternative, educational career fair hosted by State Sen. Mattie Hunter on Tuesday at VanderCook College of Music.

Sen. Hunter's Alternative Pathways Career Fair offered creative and diverse occupational opportunities including the military, cosmetology, massage therapy and the performing arts.

"We’re helping connect Chicago students with non-traditional post high school opportunities, as they create their own unique path to adulthood,” Hunter said. “In addition to empowering interested teens with the many alternative routes outside of a traditional four-year college experience, we’re also giving recruiters access to Chicago’s brightest youth. Encouraging young people to map out their plans following high school, is crucial in this day and age.”

The event was open to high school teens, parents and adults seeking alternative educational career opportunities.