Hunter: Stop hate against Asian Americans in this country

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter, who represents part of Chinatown in Chicago, is outraged about the rise of violence against Asian Americans in America and released the following statement after the shooting of eight people – six who were Asian American –  in Georgia-based massage parlors last night:

“My heart is saddened by the events that transpired in Atlanta. It’s sickening that this shooting was a possible hate crime against Asian Americans.

“I send my support to the victims’ families and to any person in the Asian community that feels unsafe, including anyone in the district I represent. We have to bring an end to hate against Asian populations, and to all bigotry, no matter where it takes place.

“This type of violence and bigoted ideology must stop. Everyone deserves to feel safe in this country, and I will work to ensure that no community feels like they might be the victim of something as tragic as this.”

Hunter excited for hospital transformation funding

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) joined Governor Pritzker and other state officials at Loretto Hospital for the bill signing of the Hospital Transformation bill Friday morning.

“I am very excited that hospitals will have the assistance necessary to help them transform to meet the needs of their communities, as the pandemic has exacerbated the struggles faced in many unprivileged communities, some of which I represent,” Hunter said. “Due to institutional racism, communities of color have been suffering from a plethora of health disparities even before the pandemic came and took the world by storm. With the proper funding and investment into these underserved communities, I am hopeful this initiative will help put an end to such barriers.”

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Hunter congratulates Beethoven Elementary on field trip grant

CHICAGO – Beethoven Elementary School was a recipient of the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program, and State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is announcing her congratulations.

“I am proud to announce that the school I went to as a child and that I now represent as a state senator has been chosen to receive an Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant,’ Hunter said. “As schools reopen, it will be important for students to take field trips and learn about the biodiversity throughout our state.”

Beethoven Elementary was awarded nearly $1,700 to take children from pre-kindergarten to second grade to the William Powers State Recreation Area in Chicago. Funding covers expenses such as the costs of transportation and substitute teachers.

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Hunter on education reform: A deep change was needed to dismantle institutional racism

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) supported a new law that will radically transform the state’s education system, starting with a more inclusive history curriculum.

“I am happy that yet another piece of the Black Caucus agenda has been signed into law,” Hunter said. “My colleagues worked long and hard to come up with a plan that would help dismantle the institutional racism in our state – and education will be a large component of that.”

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