Majority Caucus Whip State Sen. Mattie Hunter released the following statement in respect to the recent passage of legislation establishing regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”:

“I stand in complete opposition to this measure and the advancement of policy to regulate fracking in Illinois. I early on this session presented legislation establishing a moratorium to keep anyone from realizing high-volume hydraulic fracturing in our state and putting a task force in place to make sure we take enough time to consider this critical issue thoroughly. My colleague, Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), made a valiant attempt to institute such a moratorium with Senate Bill 630 but fell short. I commend my fellow senator on his efforts and stand with him in continuing my resolve that we should halt fracking practices and allow for a task force to complete concrete, comprehensive evaluation of this highly controversial industry moving further.”

House Bill 1715, the effort regulating the practice of high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Illinois, is approved by the General Assembly and advances to the governor.

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.

Majority Caucus Whip State Sen. Mattie Hunter made this statement regarding the passage of concealed carry legislation:

“My approval of this legislation is not without reservations. This plan that still leaves much to be desired in the way of addressing public safety and the current violence epidemic. But I realize the importance of making sure we have a statute in place to protect our citizens and communities before the June 9th deadline given to us by the Federal Appeals Court. Although I would like to see a proposal that more carefully and thoroughly considered the current gun violence crisis devastating Chicago and the communities I represent, the reality is we must have something established by the June 9th deadline to avoid the instatement of constitutional carry.”

Majority Caucus Whip State Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) explains her no vote on Senate Bill 1:

“I am proud of my fellow General Assembly members in making the tough but right decision to reject SB 1. We must and can fix our pension issues, but not in a way that breeches the constitution, harms our dedicated state workers.”

SB 1 failed with a vote of 16 to 42.