SPRINGFIELD —The Illinois Department of Human Services will collect data on the frequency of stolen SNAP benefits beginning Jan. 1 after a new law from State Senator Mattie Hunter takes effect.

“We have heard from many Illinois residents who have been victims of identity fraud and lost access to their SNAP benefits," said Hunter (D-Chicago). "By tracking the frequency of these occurrences, IDHS will have a better idea of the scope of the problem and how we can effectively move forward.”

Under the new law, IDHS will have the authority to track how often benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are stolen from their rightful recipients. SNAP participants receive monthly benefits for groceries deposited onto EBT cards, and in the past year, card skimming has increased significantly in many states. IDHS began collecting data on card skimming and other fraud methods in December 2022, making it unclear how much theft had previously occurred.

Last year, Congress passed legislation to replace SNAP benefits stolen between Oct. 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2024. This new law will serve as a starting point for Illinois to gain a clearer understanding of the scope and frequency of SNAP benefit fraud in the state, allowing for more effective measures to be put in place to combat this issue.

“When families lose their benefits —at no fault of their own — they are unable to purchase food until the situation can be resolved,” Hunter said. “We must ensure these benefits remain accessible to those who need them.”

House Bill 2214 takes effect Jan. 1.

SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Jan. 1, residents will see expanded protections from utility disconnections on days of extreme heat, thanks to a new law from State Senator Mattie Hunter.

“For people who fall behind on their bills, having their utilities shut off on an extremely hot day can have dire consequences,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By recognizing the dangers of heat and the value in access to air conditioning and proper refrigeration, we are protecting some of our state’s most vulnerable.”

The Public Utilities Act — which prohibits utility shutoffs on days where the temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit — will now include extreme heat events, factoring in humidity and the heat index. On days when the forecasted temperature is 90 degrees or above, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat watch, advisory or warning, residents’ utilities cannot be shut off, even if they are behind on paying their bills.

Older adults, young children and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk of heat-related illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 700 people in the U.S. die from extreme heat each year. When utilities are shut off, residents lose access to life-saving cooling methods, refrigeration for food and medicine and electricity to power essential devices.

“Illinois weather is unpredictable. This law will lead to greater safety on the hottest days, particularly during the summer months,” said Hunter.

House Bill 1541 goes into effect Jan. 1.

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter applauded the FDA’s recent approval of the first gene therapies designed to treat patients with sickle cell disease.

“The FDA's approval of Casgevy and Lyfgenia to treat sickle cell disease is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of those affected by this debilitating condition,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This is a testament to the progress we can achieve when we prioritize and invest in medical research."

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood disorders affecting approximately 100,000 people in the United States, most commonly African Americans. In an affected individual, red blood cells — which are normally round and flexible — are sickled-shaped, stiff and sticky, leading to a variety of problems including blocked blood flow, anemia, organ damage and stroke.

The FDA approved two cell-based gene therapies — Casgevy and Lyfgenia — for the treatment of sickle cell disease in patients 12 and older. Both products are made from the patient’s own blood stem cells, which are modified and given back as a one-time, single-dose infusion. Patients who receive either treatment will take part in a long-term study to evaluate each product’s safety and effectiveness.

Hunter has led legislation to improve care for those affected by sickle cell disease, including the creation of the Sickle Cell Prevention, Care and Treatment Program through the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ Health and Human Services Pillar. Additionally, she has served on the Red Cross of Illinois Sickle Cell Task Force.

“This treatment offers hope for improved outcomes and a better quality of life for patients,” said Hunter. “I commend the researchers and scientists who worked tirelessly on these advancements and thank the patients and advocates who helped to make the approval of this treatment possible.”

Read more about the treatments on the FDA’s website.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter has been appointed co-chair of the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Oversight Commission to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries receive high-quality and affordable care.

“Medicaid is a vital lifeline for many Illinoisans that provides access to essential health care services,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This commission will play a critical role in addressing systemic challenges, upholding the integrity of the program and promoting equitable health care access for all Medicaid beneficiaries.”

With Hunter’s leadership, the Medicaid Managed Care Oversight Commission was established through the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ Health and Human Services Pillar in 2021.

The commission is tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of the state’s Medicaid program including reviewing health outcome data and diversity contracting goals, expanding care coordination with a focus on social determinants of health, and assessing culturally competent services. The panel will submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly.