State Senator Mattie Hunter’s (D-Chicago) hard work in the Senate was acknowledged by Governor Pat Quinn during his State of the State address today.

Gov. Quinn spoke about the great progress the state has made this past year.  He highlighted the achievements of Majority Caucus Whip Mattie Hunter by noting that her efforts to establish a new revolving loan fund has led to an increase in minority state contracts.

Illinois has increased state contracts to minority and women-owned businesses by nearly 60 percent since the governor took office.

When authorities in July found the tortured, broken body of 8-year-old Gizzell Ford lying among trash in an Austin apartment, it became yet another heartbreaking example of the failings of the state’s child welfare system.

It’s a tragic scene that happens far too often in Illinois. Over the past five years, more than 450 children have died from abuse and neglect, and recent numbers from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services show the annual death toll is rising.

State Senator Mattie Hunter, a Chicago Democrat and longtime child welfare advocate, wants changes.

Senator Hunter says abuse and neglect deaths are unacceptable, demands improvement

Frustrated by the number of children dying from abuse and angered by the tragic story of one Chicago girl’s recent death, Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter confronted the state’s child welfare agency on Tuesday and demanded changes.

“We have 111 children that have died. That is not acceptable. Every single one of you all need to resign,” Hunter, a Chicago Democrat, told top administrators at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services during a hearing.

Hunter, a member of the Senate Democrat’s leadership team, has long been an advocate for the state’s neediest children. Tuesday’s convening of a special Senate panel examining issues at DCFS comes in response to record high child fatality numbers and the high-profile death of an 8-year-old Chicago girl.