Illinois State Senator Patricia Van Pelt

Van Pelt: Black mothers matter

: Published: 13 July 2020

Pregnancy related mortality rates per 100000 live births 1 CHICAGO – July 3, yet another Black woman fell victim to the inequities of the American health system. Sha-Asia Washington was only 26 when she died during an emergency C-section after delivering her baby girl at Bedford-Stuyvesant hospital in New York. Exhausted by repeated tragic headlines regarding maternal mortality, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is pleading for a deeper change in the health care system.

“Sha-Asia died as she was trying to create a new life,” Van Pelt said. “The doctors failed her. The health care system failed her. How many more Black mothers have to die before we begin to take maternal mortality seriously?”

Van Pelt celebrates literacy grants in her district, encourages tutors to volunteer

: Published: 09 July 2020

9605583571 87448063e9 b CHICAGO – Chicago’s West Side was awarded nearly $135,000 in literary grants to help students better their reading, math, writing and English-language skills, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) announced Thursday. Van Pelt is encouraging those who are skilled enough to teach others to put their skills to use.

“We have the funding, now we need the tutors. One in four children grow up in this country without learning to read,” Van Pelt said. “If you have the time and the knowledge, please consider giving back to your community and volunteering.”

Van Pelt: Good cops should not need to fight an unjust system

: Published: 09 July 2020

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) had this to say Wednesday on news the Joliet Police Department placed Sgt. Javier Esqueda on administrative leave after he spoke out on the death of Eric Lurry, a Black man who died in the custody of Joliet police officers earlier this year:

Van Pelt: Systemic racism is a public health crisis

: Published: 07 July 2020

CHICAGO – Over the past several weeks, Chicago has seen gun violence rates higher than they’ve been in 60 years. In response to the violence, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“I am incredibly disheartened by all the bloodshed that has occurred in our city. Too many lives have been lost these past few weeks. Our children deserve to live in their communities without fear. Our children deserve to live in areas where their zip code won’t determine their livelihoods.