CHICAGO – More than $25 million in state funding for youth employment and after-school programs is up for a vote in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“Once thriving after-school programs on Chicago’s South Side are struggling to remain open,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), a career advocate for youth jobs and violence prevention in the city. “Last year, I met teenage filmmakers at After School Matters who used their cameras to lead anti-violence efforts in our community. Now, those teens are at risk of losing the very activities that kept them safe during dangerous summers.”

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CHICAGO – A bipartisan-backed human services emergency funding bill is sitting on the governor's desk. Majority Caucus Whip Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement, urging the governor to sign the plan into law:

"A human services funding plan is sitting on the governor's desk. The Senate and House worked in a bipartisan fashion to craft an emergency funding bill that will keep our state afloat.

“We are seeing in Chicago and across our state the devastating effects of not having a budget in place. Without critical programs like Redeploy Illinois, we will continue to see a rise in teen violence.

“Signing the stopgap budget into law is the first step toward turning our state around. Our at-risk teens, seniors and vulnerable residents who rely on human services cannot wait any longer.

“Our communities need a solution today. That solution, Senate Bill 2038, is ready to be signed."

State Senator Mattie Hunter invites students to attend Tilden’s Career Community Academy’s 2nd Annual Summer Fun Camp. Youth entering grades 6 – 11 can participate in the six-week program that takes place from June 27 – August 5 at Tilden CCA, 4747 South Union Ave.

Children and teens can participate in creative dance, Zumba, boys and girls basketball skills camp, baseball and softball skills camp, community soccer team, Tilden TV and Radio and workforce development. Free breakfast and lunch are offered.

SPRINGFIELD – The quality of Illinois foster care homes will improve for more than 13,000 children under legislation sponsored by state Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

Under current state law, foster parents considered unfit to raise children can re-apply one year after losing their license. House Bill 4966 would ensure that past performance of a foster home is taken into account for future licenses.

"Wards deserve the same quality households as their peers who live with their biological parents," Hunter said. "It is Illinois' responsibility to prevent a revolving door of unfit, neglectful and sometimes abusive foster parents from harming our children."

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