CHICAGO – In response to reports from the Illinois Department of Public Health that a second Illinois resident has contracted coronavirus – this time from person-to-person contact in the United State – Senator Patricia Van Pelt, chair of the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee is urging residents to stay calm but take reasonable precautions.

“Now that the second case of the coronavirus has been identified in Illinois, I want to remind residents of the Chicagoland area to take necessary precautions,” Van Pelt said. “Though the coronavirus has been declared a global health emergency, there’s no need to panic. As confirmed by the Department of Public Health, the risk of the coronavirus being an epidemic in our state remains low.”

“Though it isn’t receiving as much media attention, the flu still presents a higher risk,” Van Pelt continued. “So please, wash your hands often. Cover your coughs and your sneezes. Stay home when you are sick, and consult a doctor when needed. Stay informed. Be aware. Let’s all do our part to prevent the spread of flu and coronavirus.”

Recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s websites for more information on the outbreak and how to stay safe.

###

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) listened as families relived the terrible days their loved ones were murdered during a Senate Public Health Law committee hearing this afternoon.

“Our voice is not being heard," said Kristena Hopkins, Director of Missing and Murdered Women and Girls, whose cousin, Shantieya Smith, was slain back in 2018. “I feel like they want us to just shake it off and keep moving, but I refuse to because she has a eight-year-old daughter who deserves to know what happened to her mom.”

Latonya Moore, Shantieya’s mother, was also in attendance. After nearly two years of painfully awaiting any updates on her daughter’s case, she expressed her frustration about the lack of justice. This was her third time testifying before this committee.

“…My daughter, to me, feel like a John Doe... She don’t even exist.” Moore cried. “If you was born in my same shoes, how would you feel? Because it feel like I’m reaching out and I’m not getting no help.”

Read more ...

WHAT: A hearing of the Illinois Senate’s Public Health committee re: DNA evidence processing delays

WHO: Senator Van Pelt, committee members and witnesses including representatives from the Illinois State Police Department, Kenwood–Oakwood Community Organization, Community Activist Rev. Robin Hood

WHEN: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020

WHERE: Illinois State Capitol Building, Room 400, Springfield

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD –Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) offered her congratulations as the Illinois Senate elected Senator Don Harmon (D-Chicago) the next Senate President today.

“Congratulations, Don! I am so excited to be working with someone with a strong history of advocating for voters’ rights,” Van Pelt said.

Read more ...