SPRINGFIELD – Ex-offenders can now obtain their birth certificates at no charge thanks to a measure sponsored by Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago).

“We should be doing everything possible to remove barriers to success and reduce recidivism for ex-offenders,” Van Pelt said. “Waiving the fee requirement for birth certificates for an individual who is released from a Department of Corrections facility removes a financial burden, giving ex-offenders a better chance at success.”

Senate Bill 1413 waives the fee for birth certificates for individuals when they are released from a Department of Corrections facility.

“Ex-offenders already face too many obstacles when they are released from custody. Having to pay for a birth certificate should not be one of them,” Van Pelt said. “This is a small, but easy way to easy the burdens placed on ex-offenders.”

Senate Bill 1413 passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law on Wednesday.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement today after Governor Rauner issued an amendatory veto of historic changes to Illinois’ inequitable system of school funding:  

“Today, Governor Rauner blew up decades of work to change Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation system of school funding. His rhetoric against Chicago and CPS belittles the real challenges faced on a daily basis by the district’s nearly 400,000 students.

“I will continue working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure this governor’s bald-faced prejudice toward Chicago schoolchildren does not harm every student in Illinois.”

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls has served kids in crisis in Chicago since 1887. Their mission is to save young lives by: promoting a safe, nurturing residential treatment home; AfterCare support for former residents and their families; community-based and site-based youth mentoring; promoting therapeutic, educational, vocational, spiritual and life skill development; and raising public awareness of youth in need.
 
Mercy Home has a Residential Care Program at the Hay Boys Campus in the West Loop. There is also a campus on the south side, the Walsh Girls Campus in Beverly, where we welcome at-risk youth from neighborhoods across Chicago. Mercy Home also provides mentoring for youth who may not need the level of care provided in a residential setting. And, while they have a dedicated core of volunteers who devote themselves as mentors, they need more!

Here’s how the program works:
 
Friends First is a one-on-one mentoring program for youth ages 9-17 in the Chicago area. Our mentors give of their time (8-10 hours per month) and take our young people to places like ball games, museums, parks and more. Many of these young people may never have ventured outside of their own neighborhood prior to their involvement with Friends First.

Friends First screens and trains adult volunteers who wish to mentor a child. We provide ongoing support, supervision, and encouragement to matches. Our match support staff helps to foster significant and life-changing friendships.

To learn more, or to refer a youth to Friends First for mentoring, please call Katie Gunter, Mercy Home's Matching Coordinator, at (312) 738-6368.

In addition, they have regular opportunities for individuals to join Mercy Home on staff. Please visit www.mercyhome.org/working-mercy-home for the latest job postings.

Do you have a health question you need answered? Would you like to check your glucose level, or do know someone who wants to check if they’re diabetic? Come meet the doctors and staff at the UI Health Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West. We provide diabetes care, classes, and a support group to help you manage your diabetes. You also can stop by and make an appointment for a school physical, check out our services, and see our new offices. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided. We care for the entire family, from grandparents to grandchildren. Our doctors and staff look forward to meeting you.

For more information, please call 312-413-4179 or email clinic director Rita Smaw at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Date: Friday, July 28
Time: 9–11 am
Location: 1713 S. Ashland Ave.