CHICAGO – Employers can no longer discriminate based on hair, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act was signed into law Wednesday by Governor JB Pritzker, which includes hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists to the Illinois Human Rights Act’s definition of “race”.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court officially decided to overturn Roe v. Wade:

“As a Black woman in this country, I am often disappointed by the constant threat to our human rights. It is very disconcerting that the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that will set reproductive rights back by decades. They are essentially telling women that they cannot make up their own minds regarding their bodies.

“Supreme Court justices are selected to uphold the Constitution, including promoting the general welfare of the people, and yet with this decision, they are going against the rights of people to make decisions about their own body.”

“I will fight to ensure that Illinois stays a safe haven for those that need abortions, because reproductive rights are human rights.”
 

CHICAGO – A new law spearheaded by State Senator Mattie Hunter will allow retired teachers to return to Chicago Public Schools without it affecting their pensions.

“This teacher shortage is affecting schools nationally, as well as in our state,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “We must do everything we can to ensure qualified teachers are in the classrooms so our children can get the education they deserve.”

CHICAGO – At least 50 women have been reported missing or murdered in Chicago with little to no answers for their families. To address this issue, State Senator Mattie Hunter championed a new law to create the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women.

The task force will examine and report on the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.