Hunter honors Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter proclaimed May 6, 2026 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in honor of the historically African-American sorority leading in service and scholarship for 118 years.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha is an organization that has gracefully served a range of communities since its inception,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “It has been an honor to be a part of a lifelong sisterhood such as this one. We continue to uphold the morals we were founded on, and it brings me much joy to see.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded on Jan. 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. to promote high scholastic ability, service and friendship between college women. The sorority has nearly 400,000 members and continues to grow internationally. In Illinois, the sorority has a total of 50 chapters – with 18 located on college and university campuses and 32 alumnae chapters located within various communities throughout the state.

Hunter, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, spearheaded Senate Resolution 734 to acknowledge the work of the sorority and its “service to all mankind.” The sorority has initiatives dedicated to building within their own communities, advocating for social justice, working to create better environments, along with many more. Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to soar in service and sisterhood.

Senate Resolution 734 was adopted by the Senate on Wednesday.

Hunter moves to eliminate discriminatory limits for disability insurance

SPRINGFIELD — Disability insurance helps protect people from financial losses if an accident or illness renders them incapable of working and receiving regular income. However, disability insurance plans do not always treat mental health conditions the same as physical health conditions. To help those struggling with mental health conditions, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a bill in the Senate that would ensure insurance providers properly disclose mental illness limitations for disability insurance purposes.

“Mental illness limitations for disability insurance purposes is discriminatory and unfairly limits the economic protection that disability insurance is intended to promise,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Insurance providers need to be upfront with their customers about how their policy treats mental health disorders.”

Hunter’s bill would require private health insurers to disclose to consumers seeking a policy that includes whether the policy limits the duration of coverage for mental health or substance use disorders. The bill would also give consumers the right to request more information about the limitation and other coverage options that include unlimited duration, if available. 

The Department of Insurance found that 68% of disability insurance plans offered in Illinois limit mental health and substance use disorder benefits. 

Senate Bill 1327 passed the full Senate Thursday.

Hunter measure targets harmful “forever chemicals” found in beauty products

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans are one step closer to knowing the cosmetics on their bathroom shelves won’t make them sick long term thanks to a measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter to ban such items from containing polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS, or "forever chemicals."

“For too long, the cosmetics industry has operated without the kind of oversight we apply to food, medicine and drinking water,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “We are working to close that gap and put Illinois at the forefront of a national movement to hold manufacturers accountable for what goes into their products and onto our skin.”

During a press conference Wednesday, Hunter outlined House Bill 3409, which would make it unlawful for any person to knowingly manufacture or sell a cosmetic product that contains any of 11 specifically named harmful chemicals or 13 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – also known as “forever chemicals” – that were intentionally added during the product's formulation.

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in manufacturing that do not break down in the environment or the human body. Prolonged exposure has been linked to a range of serious health outcomes, including certain cancers, hormonal disruption and immune system damage. Despite growing scientific consensus on the dangers of these substances, they remain present in a wide range of personal care and beauty products.

“Illinois consumers deserve to know the products they put on their bodies every day are safe,” said Hunter. “This measure sends a clear message to the cosmetics industry: if you want to sell in Illinois, your products must meet the health and safety standards our families deserve.”

House Bill 3409 will be heard in the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

Hunter leads landmark housing bill to tackle affordability crisis

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter is leading sweeping legislation that would reform exclusionary zoning laws and open new pathways for affordable, diverse housing across the state.

“Underserved communities across Illinois have been bearing the weight of the housing crisis for years," said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Senate Bill 4060 gives us the tools to build more housing in more places – and to do it in a way that is fair, transparent and enforceable.”

As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s Building Up Illinois Developments – or BUILD – proposal, Hunter is leading Senate Bill 4060.

The measure would require municipalities to allow middle housing on any lot currently zoned for single-family use, with the number of permitted units scaling from two to eight depending on lot size. Middle housing refers to moderately scaled residential buildings that fit seamlessly into existing neighborhoods, such as duplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters – buildings that offer more options for families, seniors and individuals at a range of income levels.

Illinois, like much of the nation, faces a significant housing shortage driven in large part by decades of restrictive single-family zoning. By legalizing a wider range of housing types in established neighborhoods – near jobs, transit, schools and other services – Hunter’s measure would help lower housing costs, reduce displacement and create more equitable communities throughout the state.

“For far too long, outdated zoning laws have stood in the way of the housing our communities desperately need,” said Hunter. “This measure is about making sure that working families, seniors and people of all socioeconomic backgrounds can find a home in the neighborhoods where they work and raise their children.”

Senate Bill 4060 was heard in a subject matter hearing Thursday and awaits further action.