SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter voted Friday to support families with limited economic resources and provide them with access to affordable, permanent housing.

“I’ve been an avid supporter of affordable housing my entire legislative career,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “The communities I represent and have lived in are in desperate need of this kind of support, and I am happy this program builds on other affordable housing initiatives I’ve worked to implement.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter to end hair discrimination in the workplace will be implemented at the start of the new year.

“Hair discrimination has no place in this day and age,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “As a country, we should be past people missing out on job opportunities because of the way their hair grows out of their head, and this law will provide protections from such discrimination.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter released the following statement after The CROWN Act failed to pass on the federal level:

“As the lead sponsor for the CROWN Act in Illinois, I am extremely disappointed that the U.S. Senate did not see fit to pass this bill. It’s shameful that the federal government is being insensitive to Black American culture and our naturally grown hair.

“Many of us still face discrimination over the way we wear our hair, and studies have proven it to be a systemic disadvantage for Black Americans in professional and educational spaces.

“Illinois has outlawed this petty discrimination, and it will go into effect Jan. 1. I am frustrated that our nation cannot do the same.”

CHICAGO – Members of the Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force held a press conference Tuesday at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois facility to increase awareness around prevention and treatment of the disease that affects 37 million Americans.

"Kidney disease is of the utmost importance here in Illinois. An estimated 1.4 million Illinoisans are affected and only around 177,000 of them are aware of it,” said National Kidney Foundation of Illinois CEO Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop. “Raised awareness and early detection of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors — including diabetes and hypertension — can help prevent the disease from developing or progressing."

Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, with uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure as the leading causes. Black Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney disease.