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CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D - Chicago) joined fathers from around Chicago today for the annual Million Father March, hosted by the Black Star Project. This annual event promotes black male involvement in the educational careers of their children.

“Black men are overwhelmingly incarcerated and scores of black families throughout our nation are fatherless,” Hunter said. “Our children need to see black men supporting the community, helping our youth achieve academic success and show how much education means to the growth and development of our community.”

“Fathers play an important role in their children’s educational success,” Hunter continued. “The Million Father March shows the education system that black men aren’t going to stand by and feed into statistics and stereotypes but rather be involved in their children’s lives so they can continue closing the achievement gap.”

Majority Caucus Whip State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) has worked over the last four years to create a program that would help to alleviate disparities in the construction industry. On Tuesday, the Governor will sign legislation that establishes a working capital revolving loan fund for disadvantaged business enterprises that have been awarded a current contract to complete construction work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

"I have worked tirelessly to create a state financing program that will level the playing field for all businesses by providing working capital to contractors who are shut out by the banks but, are qualified to successfully complete state construction projects," Hunter said. "A subcontractor's inability to attain lines of credit severely hinders them from attaining bonding or becoming prime contractors. This legislation works to eliminate one of the major barriers to meeting those goals."

Majority Caucus Whip State Sen. Mattie Hunter released the following statement in regards to the recent passage of the General Assembly’s Fiscal Year 14 budget proposal: 

“Human Services is an extremely important aspect of our state that needs to be fully funded.  We simply must find the money to take care of the vulnerable and needy and provide them the essential aid they need.