Hundreds served at Hunter’s 20th annual health fair

CHICAGO - State Senator Mattie Hunter celebrated her 20^th Family Health and Fitness Fair this month, empowering residents with free health screenings and streamlined access to local and state services.

"When I hosted my first health fair 20 years ago, it was a small event in a parking lot. We saw about 20 people show up," said Hunter (D-Chicago). "Now we've partnered with Illinois Institute of Technology, using a large, visible outdoor space with more vendors inside. We've been able to help thousands of residents over the years achieve better health through education and resources, all while having fun."

A champion of health-related legislation, Hunter prioritizes bringing lifesaving health screenings into the community, making them free and accessible to those who are often underserved. The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois stationed its KidneyMobile at the health fair, screening 31 individuals for early signs of kidney disease and diabetes. Students prepared to go back to school with free school physicals offered by St. Bernard Hospital's Mobile Health Unit, as well as dental exams from Roseland Dental and eye exams from the Illinois Eye Institute and Illinois College of Optometry.

Representatives from the Chicago City Clerk's office provided 13 residents with CityKeys, an ID that can be used to ride the CTA, check out materials from Chicago Public Library branches, save money on prescriptions and more. The Illinois Secretary of State hosted a Mobile DMV offering driver services without a trip to a DMV facility. During the health fair, 25 individuals renewed their driver's license, applied for a REAL ID or purchased a license plate sticker.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office provided a shred truck for secure document shredding, as well as electronics and medicine disposal, safely removing over 450 pounds of items. Thanks to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Commissioners Mariyana Spyropoulos and Precious Brady-Davis gave away tree saplings and milkweed seeds for pollinators.

"This is truly a community event - offering services for the community, within the community and with community volunteers and sponsors," said Hunter. "Every year I look forward to this event, and every year we do it bigger and better."