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In light of the important decisions voters will make this year, State Senator Mattie Hunter highlighted a true champion of African-American voting rights and racial equality – Fannie Lou Hamer – for Black History Month.

Fannie Lou Hamer's activism in the 1960s propelled the civil rights movement and mobilized thousands of Black voters to engage in the political process. She endured countless violent attempts to silence and intimidate her, yet continued her fight for justice and equality.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address on Wednesday:

“I was pleased the governor proposed rate increases for Medicaid providers and Community Care Program providers, as well as significant overhauls and investments in the Department of Children and Family Services. Pritzker’s budget puts Illinois on the right path toward equitable delivery of human services for children and families.

“The governor and I share a demonstrated commitment to reducing health-care disparities and creating a child welfare system where no child’s health and well-being is neglected. I look forward to working with him to achieve these goals.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“In his first year, Governor Pritzker made good on his campaign promise to put justice and social equity at the forefront of his policy agenda. In today’s address, it was clear that Governor Pritzker understands that this work must continue.

“I was encouraged by Governor Pritzker’s commitment to expanding child care in our state. For working families, access to high-quality child care is imperative to their ability to build a bright future.

“My work in the Senate has largely focused on improving mental health, and tackling substance use and drug-related crime. I am deeply concerned with recent reports that opioid deaths in my own community are rising, while decreasing in the communities of my white colleagues. The governor has made a sincere commitment today to social equity in how the state deploys resources and funding to battle the opioid crisis. While the recent executive order is a strong step forward, I look forward to holding Governor Pritzker to that promise over the next year.”

CHICAGO – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker today signed Executive Order 2020-02 to better address racial disparities in responding to the opioid crisis by establishing the Governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee. It was also announced that Illinois is also dedicating $4.1 million state dollars to expand recovery and prevention services for individuals with opioid use disorder in all corners of the state. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement regarding the order:

“I commend Governor Pritzker for his efforts to curb racial disparities in the state’s response to the opioid crisis. This executive order will help ensure fair distribution of preventative resources and remove barriers to addiction treatment for Illinois families in disproportionately impacted communities. Every Illinoisan hurt by this epidemic, regardless of zip code, deserves a full shot at recovery.”