CHICAGO – Tuesday afternoon, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) held a hearing in light of rising opioid overdose deaths in Cook County over the past year.

“I think it’s necessary to reanalyze substance addiction in a way that is not criminalizing the addict,” Van Pelt said. “Substance abuse is a disorder, and people need treatment, not punishment. The drug companies, dealers, doctors and pharmacists should be held accountable for the role they play in these overdoses.”

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CHICAGO – The state is expecting to receive 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government this week, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Committee, is encouraging Illinoisans over the age of 16 to get their shot as eligibility expands across the state.

“Now is the ideal time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” Van Pelt said. “As supplies of the vaccine increase and appointments become available, all who are eligible should make an appointment to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

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SPRINGFIELD – After months of conducting hearings on the barriers to access to health care faced by Black and brown Illinoisans, , State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) passed legislation out of the Illinois Senate aiming to address structural disparities in the health care system.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and activists spurred to organize by the events of the past summer have both further revealed what we’ve long known: Our health care systems need to change,” Van Pelt said. “I am excited that my colleagues and I could pass comprehensive legislation that will better the health of the Black and brown communities we represent.”

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SPRINGFIELD – A report from The Chicago Sun-Times revealed that more Black Cook County residents died by suicide in 2020 than any year in the last decade, which is why State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) led a hearing before the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Tuesday afternoon.

“In the last year, there has been a rise in Black suicides, and I wanted to get to the bottom of it,” Van Pelt said. “So much tragedy has occurred, and I want everyone to know resources are available to help.”

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