CHICAGO— Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) stood with Senate colleagues, State Representatives, representatives from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and community activists on Wednesday calling for an immediate federal urban stimulus package.

Illinois elected officials and community activists made an appeal to President Obama and Congress to enact an emergency tax relief and targeted stimulus for residents in urban communities who are facing skyrocketing property taxes in underserved areas.

"With property taxes rising, economically challenged neighborhoods are being hit harder," Hunter said. "It’s unfair that the median tax increase in Lincoln Park will only increase by 3 percent, but areas like the Englewood neighborhood on the South side will see a 25 percent increase. If you combine the increase in property taxes and the unemployment rate, there is a great need for relief sooner rather than later to ensure their families can stay in their homes."

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition organization, which is devoted to protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity, is calling for a Stimulus II. The Stimulus II will help save homes, prevent foreclosure, and invest in job protection as well as creation.

"I represent communities such as Englewood, which have had foreclosures for ten years and have been drastically hurt by the economy," Hunter said. "Areas which I represent, like Englewood, have been hit hard by foreclosures and have taken a drastic hit from the downturn of the economy. Our communities cannot take anymore. As leaders we must do everything in our power to uplift our constituents."