Hunter: Budget upholds commitment to families

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“This budget upholds our commitment to supporting Illinois families while prioritizing investments in our youth, health care systems and social services, laying the foundation for an equitable future for residents across our state.

“Building on our promise to our state’s youngest, this plan allocates funding for K-12 education and need-based grants, ensuring every child has access to quality learning environments from early childhood to higher education. A $200 million investment in after-school and summer youth programs will provide safe, enriching spaces for children to learn, grow and develop socially.

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Senate approves Hunter’s measure to expand task force for missing women

SPRINGFIELD — Despite making up only 2% of Chicago’s population, Black women and girls account for about 30% of the city’s missing persons cases — an alarming disparity that remains the key focus of the Task Force for Missing and Murdered Chicago Women. To support ongoing efforts to address this issue, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a bill through the Senate on Sunday that would add two seats to the task force for Chicago police officers.

“The number of missing Black women and girls — and families left without answers — is unacceptable,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Chicago police officers’ firsthand experience with these cases, paired with improved data practices, will be instrumental in finding these women and ensuring justice is served.”

The Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, established through legislation Hunter passed in 2022, is studying methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and working to develop strategies to reduce violence and prevent future tragedies. The task force meets monthly and is due to submit its first report to the General Assembly by Dec. 31.

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Hunter works to expand task force for missing women

SPRINGFIELD — Building upon her work to establish a task force for missing and murdered Chicago women, State Senator Mattie Hunter advanced a bill Wednesday that would add two seats to the task force reserved for Chicago police officers.

“Local police officers have firsthand experience with missing persons cases,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “It’s been noted that the data collection processes surrounding these cases is not up to the level it should be. We need to bring the Chicago Police Department to the table to hear what their practices are, how information is being managed and how we can move forward with effective solutions.”

The Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, established through legislation Hunter passed in 2022, is studying methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and working to develop strategies to reduce violence and prevent future tragedies. The task force meets monthly and is due to submit its first report to the General Assembly by Dec. 31.

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Hunter highlights service, advocacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority

SPRINGFIELD — A longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, State Senator Mattie Hunter declared May 1, 2024 as AKA Day in Illinois in recognition of the sorority’s history of uplifting women, building friendships and giving back to the community.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha is a cornerstone of the African American community, providing a platform for service and sisterhood,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Throughout the country and beyond, AKA chapters play an important role in empowering Black women, equipping them with the skills and support needed to become leaders of positive change.”

Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest African American sorority in the United States. With over 360,000 members in chapters across the world, AKA’s mission is to cultivate scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, help alleviate problems concerning women, maintain a progressive interest in college life and be of “service to all mankind.”

Hundreds of Alpha Kappa Alpha members from throughout the state traveled to Springfield on Wednesday for AKA Day at the Capitol. Hunter has been an active AKA member since 2006, joining a legacy of notable members including Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King and Vice President Kamala Harris, and in Illinois, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and State Representative Kimberly Du Buclet, who represents a portion of the 3rd Senate District.

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