Illinois Transatlantic Slave Trade Commission 
State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago-3) has served in the Illinois State Legislature since early 2003 when she was appointed to assume the seat vacated by retiring Senator Margaret Smith. Senator Hunter serves as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is as a member of the Senate Local Government and State Government Committees.
A native of Chicago, Senator Hunter attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. She also has a Masters of Arts degree in Sociology from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi and a Business Administration Certificate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Senator Hunter, a full-time legislator, is a certified alcohol and drug counselor and prevention specialist.
Senator Hunter is a member of several prestigious organizations including, ETA Phi Beta Sorority-Alpha Lambda Chapter and the Central Credit Union of Illinois.
Awards she has been given include the Humanitarian Award - ETA Phi Beta Sorority, Kizzy Award and Distinguished Leadership Award - God First Ministries.
From 1982-2000, Senator Hunter served in numerous capacities with the Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. (HRDI). In 1994, she was appointed Vice President in the Office of External Affairs. While at the HRDI, Senator Hunter was the Managing Director, between 1994-1996, for the Center for Health and Human Services located in Johannesburg, South Africa. She participated, coordinated and presented lectures at numerous health and human services conferences in Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Zambia including the Human Resources Development Institute/South African Department of Health Workshop; the South African Ministry of Health; the Human Resources Development Institute; and the U.S. State Department Alcohol and Drug Abuse Demand Reduction Workshop.
In her first legislative session, Senator Hunter sponsored and passed legislation (SB 1028) recognizing the third Saturday in June of each year as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day," banning the sale, distribution and manufacture of mercury fever thermometers and mercury-added novelty products (SB 371) and encouraging the creation of family friendly workplaces. She also championed legislation (SB1589) that will require the state to conduct a study to determine the best methods of treating obesity.
Senator Hunter introduced a bill addressing the problem of physical attacks at sporting events. The legislation, which awaits the governor's signature, stiffens the penalties for those individuals who attack players, coaches or officials.