SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) voted Thursday to pass a plan to guarantee that every Illinoisan who has voted within the last two years will be sent a vote by mail application for the 2020 election.

“Voting is crucial to a functioning democracy,” Van Pelt said, speaking from Springfield while attending a special legislative session convened with social distancing measures. “We have the technology to accurately and safely ensure our voices are heard. We refuse to allow a pandemic to disrupt our self-governance.”

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CHICAGO – With graduation season underway and many students determining whether college could be their next step, Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is encouraging those seeking financial assistance to apply for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) Scholarship.

“College was hard enough to pay for before the financial realities of the virus set in,” Van Pelt said. “Now more than ever, aspiring college students could benefit from a scholarship like this.”

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CHICAGO – The results are in from Senator Patricia Van Pelt’s (D-Chicago) goal setting contest, which opened in response to all K-12 school closures back in March.

Students were asked to illustrate a vision of their future selves, in addition to a five-year plan depicting how they would reach those goals for high schoolers. There was a winner for elementary, middle, and high school, in addition to the Senator’s pick. Earlier this month, these talented young artists received love from family and friends on Van Pelt’s social media: Anthony Chillis (elementary school), Timothy Chillis (middle school), Grace Keller (high school) and Jess Correa (Senator’s pick).

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CHICAGO – To bring attention to the many West Side seniors who aren’t getting the help they need during the coronavirus pandemic, Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) held a press conference Sunday and urged the community to get involved with relief efforts.

“What are these seniors supposed to do?” said Van Pelt. “They have no resources, no transportation, which means no access to testing, no way to get groceries, no basic sanitary products. Somebody’s got to act on their behalf.”

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