SPRINGFIELD – Though the health care pillar of the Black Caucus’ agenda to end systemic racism didn’t pass the General Assembly last week due to a technical issue, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) has vowed to continue fighting toward a more equitable and inclusive health care system in Illinois.

“The fight for equal access to health care isn’t over,” Hunter said. “I plan to reintroduce and pass the health care agenda this spring.

In addition to increasing the accessibility of health care, the legislation would also put a halt on hospital closures, reform Medicaid managed care organizations, and advance community health worker certification and reimbursement.

Decreasing maternal and infant mortality, mental health and substance abuse, and medical implicit bias are also major goals of the Black Caucus health pillar.

“The measures in this legislation, such as a moratorium on hospital closures and the expansion of mental health and substance abuse treatments, can save lives,” Hunter said. “It will also radically transform our health care system, which is something my colleagues and I have worked toward for a long time.”

The Senate is set to reconvene again Tuesday, February 9^th.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) retained her leadership position as Majority Caucus Chair of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

“I am happy to continue serving as Majority Caucus Chair for the Democratic Caucus,” Hunter said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to develop policies that better the lives of our constituents across the state.”

Hunter has represented the 3^rd District for nearly 20 years and has passed over 200 bills concerning breast cancer, childhood vaccines, youth employment, environmental issues and education.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) voted to pass multiple measures last week to advance the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda, hoping to improve racial equality throughout the state of Illinois.

“My colleagues and I have worked tirelessly for the last several months to create a plan that gets to the root of systemic injustice and rectifies the inequities facing our community piece by piece,” Hunter said. “I’m grateful to see that many of our ideas will soon come to fruition, and I’m excited to see our communities benefit.”

CHICAGO – In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) partnered with Social Change to donate food and PPE at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church.

“People are still struggling to protect themselves from this virus while awaiting the wide distribution of the vaccine,” Hunter said. “PPE is still needed, and people are still in need of other basic necessities like food. Everyone loves to quote Dr. King, but those who follow in his footsteps are not as common.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following a year of grave racial injustice and the tragedies of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) passed legislation out of the Illinois Senate aiming to improve equity in the state health care system.

“For weeks upon weeks, we’ve listened to health care experts break down all the disparities in our health care system that exist for Black, Brown and low-income Illinoisans,” Hunter said. “Everyone deserves the same access to health care, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. This measure is meant to ensure the health care system will be centered fully on the needs of the patients.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) was one of nearly a hundred witnesses to speak against the closure of Mercy Hospital during Tuesday’s Health and Facilities Review Board meeting. Hunter is pleased that after several hours of testimony, the board voted to reject the closure of Mercy Hospital.

“I am proud that there was an abundance of support from the community to keep Mercy open,” Hunter said. “For months, we have been calling for Mercy to stay open so that Bronzeville residents would have reliable care in the middle of this pandemic. I am so pleased the board voted in the community’s best interest.”

CHICAGO – Following a year of social isolation for many, especially the older population, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is trying to spread holiday cheer by encouraging city residents to send cards to seniors in long-term care facilities.

“Due to COVID-19, there are so many people who will spend this holiday season alone,” Hunter said. “I am saddened that I cannot have my annual senior brunch, so collecting holiday cards is a simple way to let our seniors know that they’re cared for during this peculiar season.”

CHICAGO – During Thursday’s joint Senate hearing on age, equity, workers’ rights and consumer protection, Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) advocated for increased protection among minority workers and consumers.

The U.S. Department of Labor in October released a wage report for the third quarter of this year, revealing that Black workers on average earn 72% of what white men earn. Broken down by gender, Black men earn 77.5% of what white men earn, while Black women make only 68.5%. In Chicago specifically, wage gaps grew significantly over the last several decades, causing what UIC researchers call “a growing exodus” of Black Chicagoans.