SPRINGFIELD — To gain an understanding of the scope and frequency of SNAP benefit fraud in Illinois, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a bill through committee granting the Illinois Department of Human Services the authority to collect data on these stolen benefits within the state.

"The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of SNAP benefits in ensuring that families have access to the food they need,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “However, fraud threatens the integrity of this critical program.”

House Bill 2214 allows IDHS to track how often benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are stolen from their rightful recipients. SNAP participants receive monthly benefits for groceries deposited onto EBT cards, and in recent months, card skimming has increased significantly in many states. IDHS began collecting data on card skimming and other fraud methods in December 2022, making it unclear how much theft had previously occurred. Under this measure, IDHS will be required to report its findings to the General Assembly annually beginning on Jan. 1, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter advanced a measure through the Senate to reinforce that services provided by the Department of Children and Family Services are intended to be temporary until the involved child can be safely returned home or find a permanent home.

“We have a responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of all children in our state, and that includes providing youth in care with stable and permanent homes,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This measure strengthens DCFS’ ability to provide appropriate placements for children and youth in their care, and helps to ensure they have the support and resources they need to thrive."

SPRINGFIELD — With Illinois facing more days of dangerous heat each year, residents behind on paying their bills risk having their utilities shut off at a time when air conditioning and fans are essential. To protect families from losing access to these lifesaving cooling methods, State Senator Mattie Hunter led a measure that will prevent the shutoff of gas or electricity on days with excessive heat.

“Utility interruptions during extreme heat are dangerous, especially for seniors, individuals with health conditions and young children,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Without access to air conditioning or cooling measures, our neighbors are at an increased risk of dehydration, heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.”

SPRINGFIELD — As Illinois sees more frequent and severe heat waves, residents behind on their utility bills in the summer could be at risk of life-threatening consequences. State Senator Mattie Hunter is leading a measure through the Senate to further protect vulnerable citizens from having their gas or electric service disconnected during extreme heat.

“With hotter temperatures and more days of extreme heat each year, people are facing an increased risk of heat-related illnesses,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This bill will ensure families do not lose access to lifesaving cooling methods during period of high heat, even if they are behind on paying their bills.”

House Bill 1541 amends the Public Utilities Act to prohibit a utility company from terminating gas or electric service due to nonpayment of bills on days when the forecasted temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat watch, warning or advisory. Currently, the Public Utilities Act prohibits disconnection when the temperature is 95 degrees or hotter but does not account for when the heat index may rise to dangerous levels.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter is leading a measure to reinforce that services provided by the Department of Children and Family Services are intended to be temporary until the involved child can be safely returned home or find a permanent home.

“It is vital that our child welfare services prioritize the placement of children in suitable family arrangements, particularly when reunification or adoption are not possible,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This bill strengthens the state’s goal of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a loving, permanent family.”

CHICAGO — National Louis University will help expand the state’s pool of early childhood providers and increase faculty diversity in the field thanks to an Early Childhood Faculty Preparation Grant, State Senator Mattie Hunter announced Monday.

“By supporting the development of a diverse and well-prepared early childhood faculty, we are investing in the future success of our children and communities,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “I am thrilled to see National Louis University receive this funding to help students pursue their passion for teaching while filling a need in our state.”

The Illinois Board of Higher Education awarded $3.37 million in Early Childhood Faculty Preparation grants to four universities — including $1,191,511 to National Louis University — to implement programs of study for working adults from diverse backgrounds and those who work with diverse populations interested in becoming early childhood faculty. The grants will fund scholarships and other academic and holistic supports for 78 students to earn master’s degrees.

“This grant is an important step forward in ensuring all children in Illinois have access to high-quality education early on,” said Hunter. “Our education system relies on a pipeline of diverse faculty to support it, and these scholarships will help reduce the burden on those seeking to join the profession.”

The Early Childhood Faculty Preparation Grants are a part of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity initiative, a key strategy in A Thriving Illinois, the state’s strategic plan for higher education. Those who enroll in the programs are expected to graduate by the summer of 2024.

CHICAGO – Members of the Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force held a press conference Tuesday at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois facility to increase awareness around prevention and treatment of the disease that affects 37 million Americans.

"Kidney disease is of the utmost importance here in Illinois. An estimated 1.4 million Illinoisans are affected and only around 177,000 of them are aware of it,” said National Kidney Foundation of Illinois CEO Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop. “Raised awareness and early detection of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors — including diabetes and hypertension — can help prevent the disease from developing or progressing."

Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, with uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure as the leading causes. Black Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney disease.

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter is encouraging eligible agencies to apply for a $2.8 million grant opportunity to secure transitional housing services for survivors of crimes. The grant program, administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, offers assistance to public agencies and non-profit organizations that provide survivors safety, independence and stable housing.

“Millions of Illinoisans have experienced some form of domestic violence or victimization, and do not have a safe place to live,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This grant opportunity will help connect survivors with housing security and other resources needed to feel safe again.”

Survivors of violence face significant barriers to accessing services like shelter, food, clothing, secure housing, utilities, income and legal protection. Thanks to funding provided under the Victims of Crimes Act, assistance is available to organizations that offer crime survivor services. VOCA is supported with fines paid by those convicted of violating federal laws and must be used to provide direct services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and other underserved survivors of crime.