New law pushed by Sen. Hunter will bring new data to ongoing debate

A newly signed law sponsored by State Sen. Mattie Hunter sets the state on course to begin a comprehensive examination of the race and ethnicity of every person arrested and entering the state’s prison system.

Hunter, a Democrat who represents the 3rd Senate District in Chicago, said the new law will provide a better idea of who is being arrested and allow for statistical analysis in determining whether minorities are unfairly targeted.

“It’s time to bring some solid data to this ongoing debate,” said Hunter. “We can’t solve problems until we know where, how and why they exist.”

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CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D - Chicago) joined fathers from around Chicago today for the annual Million Father March, hosted by the Black Star Project. This annual event promotes black male involvement in the educational careers of their children.

“Black men are overwhelmingly incarcerated and scores of black families throughout our nation are fatherless,” Hunter said. “Our children need to see black men supporting the community, helping our youth achieve academic success and show how much education means to the growth and development of our community.”

“Fathers play an important role in their children’s educational success,” Hunter continued. “The Million Father March shows the education system that black men aren’t going to stand by and feed into statistics and stereotypes but rather be involved in their children’s lives so they can continue closing the achievement gap.”

State Senator Mattie Hunter recently saw legislation she sponsored, Senate Bill 56, signed into law. The new law provides protections for tenants living in foreclosed buildings.

“Tenants shouldn’t be forced from their homes because of an irresponsible landlord,” Hunter said. “This measure gives families rights if the property they are renting is repossessed by the bank or sold.”

Currently, tenants living in foreclosed properties are protected under federal law, but those protections are set to sunset in 2014. An owner who acquires a property in a foreclosure proceeding can evict a tenant only at the end of the lease or, if there is no lease, with 90 days’ notice. If the new owner intends to use the property as his or her primary residence, he or she may terminate the lease but must give 90 days’ notice. A bank foreclosing on a rental property also must inform tenants of where they should pay their rent.

The new law takes effect immediately.