CHICAGO – After conflicting reports regarding an officer-involved shooting sparked confusion and violence in the city, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is calling for transparency.

“As I’ve said before, there is a big difference between those who protest in the streets for justice, and those who are looting for opportunity,” Van Pelt said. “There are people grieving the disparities in our community, questioning the credibility of the police after they shot yet another Black man. In many cases, these people are not the same as the looters.”

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If you have experienced a loss of electricity due to Monday’s storm, follow the tips below from the Department of Homeland Security:

Staying cool:
• Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
• Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
• Avoid high-energy activities.
• Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

Protecting yourself and others:
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
• Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling. 

Check on neighbors.

Throwing away spoiled food:

When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. 

Medication:

If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.

See more tips here: https://www.ready.gov/power-outages and continue to call ComEd and 311 for updates.

CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police’s Division of Forensic Services (DFS) Forensic Sciences Command (FSC) released the DNA Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2020 last week, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is highlighting its major improvements to reduce the DNA backlog, while recognizing there is still work to be done.

“I am excited about the progress ISP has made,” Van Pelt said. “I hope this trend continues, and I will keep tracking them to make sure they continue to move forward in fulfilling their commitment to giving these families justice.”

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