Inspired by the story of Elisha Brittman, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is sponsoring the Unidentified Patient Act, also known as The Elisha Brittman Law. Brittman – the victim of a brutal beating – was taken off life support earlier this year. Even more tragic: the family that made the decision wasn’t even his, because the hospital misidentified Mr. Brittman.

Brittman had been beaten so badly that the hospital was unable to identify him properly using photographs. It did not use fingerprints or DNA, which would have ensured a correct identification. Both Brittman’s mistaken family as well as his real one are filing a lawsuit.

“No family should have to go through this kind of trauma,” Van Pelt said. “One family was looking for their loved one, while the other was taxed with the decision to end his suffering. This entire situation was entirely avoidable.”

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CHICAGO – As a leader on ensuring Illinois’ DNA backlog doesn’t go unnoticed, Senator Patricia Van Pelt commended Gov. JB Pritzker’s creation of the Forensic Science Task Force, which will work to address the state’s backlog of untested DNA samples related to ongoing criminal investigations.   

“I’m happy to see the governor is taking action to get these DNA backlogs under control,” Van Pelt said. “We have grieving families and rape victims who are suffering and deserve answers. They shouldn’t have to continue to wait; it’s time for further action.” 

Van Pelt’s work over the past three years contributed to the creation of the task force. She held several hearings, cosponsored a measure to audit the state’s forensic services and stayed in frequent contact with the governor’s office to ensure the issue was addressed.

The Forensic Science Task Force will bring together key participants to work collaboratively to identify and analyze the issues and challenges facing Illinois’ publicly funded crime laboratories.

The task force will issue a report detailing its findings and provide guidance and recommendations to Pritzker and the General Assembly by June 1, 2020.

                    “We’re signaling to veterans that we value their past and their future.”

SPRINGFIELD – More Illinois veterans will have access to education thanks to a measure from State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) that was signed into law.

“It’s important that we honor our promises to those who have sacrificed their lives for ours,” Van Pelt said. “Providing access to education to our veterans is a top priority, and I’m pleased that Gov. Pritzker agrees.”

Senate Bill 1467 expands eligibility for the Illinois Veterans Grant and the MIA/POW Scholarship to veterans who have been residents of Illinois for 15 consecutive years.

“When a constituent came to me and told me about the loophole in state law that excluded them from the scholarship, I decided to take action,” Van Pelt said. “By expanding the time frame for eligibility, we’re signaling to veterans that we appreciate and value both their past service and their future endeavors.”

The Illinois Veterans’ Grant Program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for eligible Illinois veterans.

The MIA/POW Scholarship is an education scholarship for the dependents of veterans who are either missing in action, a prisoner of war, died while on active duty, 100-percent disabled due to service-connected disabilities or died as a result of a service connected disabilities.

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of a balanced budget:

“Tonight, I proudly voted for a budget that is both fiscally and morally responsible. The budget we passed helps ensure stability for our schools, universities, and for the social service programs that are essential to our communities.

“This budget includes $12 million in new grants for violence prevention programs in our communities, an additional $4 million for youth employment programs, and $430,000 in additional funding for Teen Reach to help ensure the safety of youth after school. It includes record investments for our neighborhood schools and additional funding for the University of Illinois at Chicago. We were able to add $20 million in new funds for workforce development and skills training and $30 million in additional funding for child care assistance so that parents can afford to work and raise a family.

“This is a budget for working families and it’s a budget that works. By making reasonable cuts to administrative spending, we were able to pass a balanced budget while still increasing investments in our most vulnerable communities.”

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