Hunter votes to make Illinois’ tax system more fair

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) joined her colleagues in voting to allow the General Assembly to end the unfair flat income tax rate:

“Today, I chose to stand up for the hardworking men and women in our state who have struggled to put food on the table for their families and get ahead under an unfair tax system that places the same burden on a restaurant server that it does on billionaire investment bankers.

“Reforming our tax code so that the wealthy pay their fair share while easing the burden on 97 percent of all Illinoisans is the right thing to do. It will not only allow us to invest in our schools and social services and boost our local economies throughout the state, but it will help put Illinois on a responsible path to fiscal stability.”

If the amendment passes both the Senate and the House with a three-fifths supermajority vote, it will be placed as a question on the November 2020 ballot. The Constitution will be amended if 60 percent of those voting on the question approve it, or a simple majority of all voters in the election.

Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Hunter to host town hall on cannabis legalization

Hunter votes to raise smoking age to 21

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago, 3^rd) voted to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21.

“It’s past time for Illinois to do what it can to protect our youth from a lifetime of nicotine addiction, from a lifetime struggling with chronic disease, and from a lifetime cut short because of tobacco,” Hunter said. “Tobacco 21 in Illinois is sound policy and common sense, saves lives and dollars and is overwhelmingly supported by Illinoisans.”

Hunter is a chief co-sponsor of House Bill 345, which would prohibit the purchase of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products and electronic cigarettes by individuals under the age of 21.

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Hunter: In-home care workers deserve a raise

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her fight to increase wages for home care aides who provide in-home services for nearly 100,000 seniors, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago, 3^rd) joined home care workers, legislators and advocates today to sound the alarm about Illinois senior home care.

For eight years, funding for programs under the Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program have gone unchanged, which leaves care providers unable to raise workers’ wages and has left Illinois unprepared to deal with workforce shortages.

Currently, the average Illinois home care worker’s hourly wage is only $11.08. Senate Bill 2019 would provide a rate increase to agencies that will ensure every care aid working through the Community Care Programs earns at least $13 per hour by July 1, 2019.

“These workers deserve more than a two-dollar increase in their wages. They deserve our thanks, and our deepest appreciation for their hard work and high spirits. We have to take care of the people who take care of one of our most vulnerable communities, and Senate Bill 2019 helps us do just that,” Hunter said.

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