CHICAGO – Over the weekend, thousands of children, families and residents filled the Illinois Institute of Technology’s campus to receive free health services, thanks to State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

Hunter hosted her annual health fair with State Representatives Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) and Juliana Stratton (D-Chicago), Institute for Positive Living, Human Resource Development Institute, ComEd and more. Fair highlights included free physicals, health screenings and immunizations.

“I look forward to hosting this event for our community every year,” Hunter said. “We understand how difficult it can be to afford regular doctor visits or receive immunizations every year, and this is a way to provide necessary health services and give back to the community.”

The event also served as an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives to violence and breast cancer, with commemorative balloon releases. Hunter released pink balloons with Carolyn Adams’ family, the namesake of the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, in honor of those who lost loved ones to breast cancer. Gatherers released red balloons alongside the Hunter family while calling out the names of victims of violence.

 SPRINGFIELD – In response to the governor’s State of the State address, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) released the following statement:

“The governor has once again promised to make Illinois compassionate and competitive but we’re still waiting for his actions to match his rhetoric. In today’s address, the governor did not mention the crisis facing youth unemployment.

Black and brown youth, especially our young men, are suffering from joblessness due to the lack of opportunity around the state.

It is criminal of the governor to stand in front of the legislative body touting business development while his agenda fails to include job opportunities for young minorities.

We have seen unemployment numbers increase over the years, but Governor Rauner has not made the necessary changes to improve the lives of all youth. We are going to have to fix this problem ourselves because this governor has failed to lead.”