CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter released the following statement after the passing of her respected colleague State Senator Scott Bennett, who she worked closely with on the Executive Appointments Committee: 

“The unexpected news of Senator Bennett’s passing is incredibly saddening. He was a wonderful colleague who loved his job. He was a natural at it all, and he always had ideas on how to make a bill stronger. In just seven years, he made a great name for himself in the Senate. 

“As the chair of the Higher Education Committee, and member of many other committees, he was a very passionate and active professional whose work will live on. He was dedicated to the betterment of his constituency, impacting his community and Illinois at large.

“More than that, he was funny, charismatic and genuine. He adored his wife Stacey and children, and my prayers are with them at this time.”

CHICAGO – On International Opioid Awareness Day, State Senator Mattie Hunter announced the official launch of the South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, which she is the convener of.

Hunter was joined by Florence Mason, Director of the South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force; partners Walonza Lee, Program Director Office of Substance Use Chicago Department of Public Health, and Livia Verklan Mcinnes, GIS Analyst for the Chicago Department of Public Health; and La Shaun Rickman, Executive Director of Brighter, Behavior, Choices Inc., where the press conference was held.

WHO: State Senator Mattie Hunter, Florence Mason, Director of the South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, and others
WHAT: Press Conference to launch opioid task force on International Overdose Awareness Day
WHERE: Brighter, Behavior, Choices Inc., Phase II – Recovery Café Chicago, 6506 S. Western Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60636

WHEN: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter is hosting a press conference on International Opioid Awareness Day to announce the launch of the South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, which she is the convener of.

Florence Mason, Director of the South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, Walonza Lee, Program Director Office of Substance Use Chicago Department of Public Health, and Livia VerklanMcinnes, GIS Analyst for the Chicago Department of Public Health, and La Shaun Rickman, Executive Director of Brighter, Behavior, Choices Inc., will join Hunter as speakers.

“Our goal with this task force is to make treatment and other resources available for those struggling with substance abuse more accessible,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “We want to provide support for those dealing with substance use and their loved ones with tangible resources to combat this crisis and let them know that overdose is avoidable when help is available.”

The South Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force meets the third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon. To attend a virtual meeting, subscribe to their e-newsletter on their website.

CHICAGO – Free health screenings, giveaways, live entertainment and family activities were all available at this year’s Family Health & Fitness Fair, hosted by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

Held at the Illinois Institute of Technology for the eighteenth year in a row, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this grand event featured free immunizations, school supplies and haircuts. Approximately 80 vendors participated - the most in the event’s history.