CHICAGO – In order to combat the opioid epidemic, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are supporting the 2022 State of Illinois Overdose Action Plan, a comprehensive, equity-centric outline to change how Illinois deals with overdoses.

This plan prioritizes outreach to and engagement with individuals who are at risk for both fatal and non-fatal overdose due to drugs like synthetic opioids, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other substances.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement after attending the U.S. Senate Confirmation Hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson:

“I was extremely privileged to witness the first confirmation hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Judge Jackson is the first Black woman to go through the nomination process to sit on the Supreme Court, and it was surreal to see it happen in the flesh.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to Dr. Ezike’s departure from the Illinois Department of Public Health:

“I want to congratulate Dr. Ngozi Ezike for her amazing service as the leader of our state’s health department over the last three years.

“She has always remained a professional who was genuinely concerned about the health and safety of all Illinoisans. She accepted the challenge as Director of IDPH. When the pandemic started, she was thrown into a role no one could have prepared for, yet she handled the height of the pandemic with such devotion and care.

“Even through her composure during the governor’s daily press conferences, she also gracefully grieved the people we lost to this pandemic, showing us how valuable it is to lead with humanity. Dr Ezike is a hero, and I will miss her and the role she played in protecting our state dearly.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) advanced a measure out of the Senate Wednesday to address the teacher shortage in Chicago Public Schools.

“This teacher shortage is affecting schools nationally as well as in our state,” Hunter said. “We must do everything we can to ensure qualified teachers are in the classrooms so our children can get the education they deserve.”