CHICAGO – To discuss the disparities in access to health care across racial and socioeconomic lines, Senate Public Health Chair Patricia Van Pelt, Executive Chair Mattie Hunter and Health and Human Services Chair Julie Morrison will lead a joint Senate committee hearing tomorrow morning.

“Everyone deserves equal access to health care,” Van Pelt said. “Too often we see that Black and Brown people’s options for quality health care are few and far between. It’s just another way they feel their lives don’t matter in this country, and we need to fix that.”

“Your health care options depend greatly on where you live,” Hunter said. “Predominately Black and Brown neighborhoods often suffer from health and trauma deserts, especially in light of recent hospital closures. Everyone deserves health care that’s accessible and affordable.”

CHICAGO – To discuss the operational challenges in supplier diversity, including procurement, the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) policies, Senate Executive Committee Chair Mattie Hunter and Special Committee on Supplier Diversity Chair Ram Villivalam will lead a joint Senate committee hearing tomorrow afternoon.

“Women and people of color often face adversity in the realm government contracting,” Hunter said. “Every business deserves procurement policies that will help it succeed, regardless of who owns it. Minority business owners deserve an equal opportunity to flourish.”

“Fair and equitable procurement policies are key to expanding opportunities for women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses,” said Villivalam. “Prioritizing equity and diversity in our suppliers will strengthen our economy, which is critically important to all Illinois taxpayers.”

CHICAGO — The Senate Executive, Financial Institutions, Economic and Commerce Committees held a joint subject matter hearing on racial equity in lending and home ownership Thursday. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), who chairs the Executive Committee, called for equity in minority lending and ownership.

“Though discriminative practices, such as redlining, were outlawed by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, it is incredibly disheartening to see African Americans struggling from these same issues today,” Hunter said. “Large home ownership and lending gaps still exist and deprive Black Americans, and that needs to change.”

CENTREVILLE, Ill.—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will unveil their final pillar, health care and human services, as part of their efforts to develop an agenda to eliminate systemic racism ahead of the upcoming fall legislative session. The press conference will be on Friday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at Touchette Regional Hospital located at 5900 Bond Avenue, Centreville, IL. Members from both chambers will discuss their efforts to deliver fair, quality health care and human services to Black communities throughout Illinois.

Health care and human services is the last of four pillars guiding the Black Caucus’ efforts to build an agenda to rid the state’s institutions of racism. The pillars include:

• Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
• Education and workforce development
• Economic access, equity and opportunity
• Health care and human services

Members will then participate in a joint virtual hearing of the Senate Public Health and Human Services committees at 2 p.m. The hearing will focus on social determinants and social influencers of health and health disparities. The Black Caucus has called for a series of hearings for each pillar. Ten hearings have already been held on the first three.

What: Press conference, followed by virtual joint Senate committee hearing

Who: Illinois Legislative Black Caucus

When: Friday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.

Where: The press conference will be held at Touchette Regional Hospital located at 5900 Bond Avenue, Centreville, IL 62207. It can also be viewed on www.blueroomstream.com, a subscription-based service.

CHICAGO – To discuss the structural challenges Black entrepreneurs face in commerce, Senate Financial Institutions Committee Chair Jacqueline Collins and Senate Executive Committee Chair Mattie Hunter will lead a joint Senate committee hearing today.

“Our goal in this ongoing series of hearings is to honestly and completely frame the problem of racial discrimination in Illinois as the basis for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ legislative agenda,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This must include a look at what challenges Black-owned enterprises face.”

CHICAGO – To help remedy Chicago's dire blood shortage caused by COVID-19, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and Rev. Byron Brazier of Apostolic Church of God are partnering to hold a community blood drive Friday. African-American blood donors are especially needed to help patients battling sickle cell disease. Blood banks have seen donations by African-Americans drop by more than 50% since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Those who are interested in being part of this community solution are asked to add their name here and make an appointment to donate blood at vitalant.org using the group code F932. Even one donation could save the life of a community member.

What: Blood Drive

Who: State Senator Mattie Hunter, Rev. Byron Brazier, and other community officials 

When: Friday, Oct. 2 from noon-5 p.m.

Where: Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester, Chicago, IL 60637

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after a Kentucky grand jury declined to indict any of the officers involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor, who was slain during a police raid in March. One former officer was indicted for wanton endangerment for firing into neighboring apartments during the botched raid.

“Though a former officer was indicted, it was not for the murder of Breonna Taylor. It was for the endangerment of other members of her community. I’m shocked and dismayed that no one is being held accountable for Breonna’s murder.

“The message Kentucky officials are sending is simple: Breonna Taylor’s life did not matter to them. There is no criminal justice for a Black woman who was sleeping in her own bed as the police raided her home, yet her family received a settlement for her wrongful death. Where is the accountability?

“I get tired of saying this, but I won’t stop until it rings true in the ears of the people who hold the power in these decisions: Black lives matter. Black lives deserve justice. Black lives deserve better from this country, and I will not stop working to make this country a safer, more equitable place for all Americans.”

CHICAGO — During the first wave of Business Interruption Grants Chicago businesses received more than $3 million in financial assistance. The second wave of grants opened Thursday, and State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is urging eligible businesses to apply.

“I was encouraged by the results of the first wave of BIG grants, and I’m hoping that other Southside businesses can receive similar assistance this time around,” Hunter said. “Any business that has faced financial hardships stemming from the pandemic should apply as soon as possible.”

Grants in the first round ranged from $10,000 to $20,000 to assist businesses with expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities, equipment, and other possible unexpected costs to relieve the effects of the pandemic. 

The second wave of grants will aid businesses such as movie theatres, performing arts venues, and concert venues as well as other for-profit and non-profit businesses with a total of $220 million in allocated funds to help them push through these hard times. 

To ensure funds are distributed across the state and across business types, $60 million has been specifically allocated for heavily distressed industries, including indoor recreation facilities and amusement parks.

Another $70 million has been set aside for businesses located in disproportionately impacted areas, or low-income areas that have experienced high rates of COVID-19, including businesses located in the 60616 ZIP code. A full list of eligible ZIP codes can be found here.

Eligible businesses should apply as soon as possible on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.