CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is calling for the Chicago Police Department to apologize for the murders of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark in 1969.

“The murders of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were violent and brutal acts by the Chicago Police Department. Though it happened more than 50 years ago, Black Americans are still waiting for justice and accountability,” Van Pelt said. “How are Black and Brown Americans ever expected to trust the police when they got away with murder, and continue to do so?”

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CHICAGO – With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of families depend on federally funded nutrition programs, leading State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to educate child care centers about the upcoming Child and Adult Care Food Program and the resources it will help provide.

“This pandemic has proven to be a time of struggle for many. I am happy this program will continue, so our children never have to go hungry,” Van Pelt said.

In addition to child care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters and day care home providers will be eligible for the funding, which will offer healthy meals to children.

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CHICAGO – July 3, yet another Black woman fell victim to the inequities of the American health system. Sha-Asia Washington was only 26 when she died during an emergency C-section after delivering her baby girl at Bedford-Stuyvesant hospital in New York. Exhausted by repeated tragic headlines regarding maternal mortality, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is pleading for a deeper change in the health care system.

“Sha-Asia died as she was trying to create a new life,” Van Pelt said. “The doctors failed her. The health care system failed her. How many more Black mothers have to die before we begin to take maternal mortality seriously?”

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CHICAGO – Chicago’s West Side was awarded nearly $135,000 in literary grants to help students better their reading, math, writing and English-language skills, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) announced Thursday. Van Pelt is encouraging those who are skilled enough to teach others to put their skills to use.

“We have the funding, now we need the tutors. One in four children grow up in this country without learning to read,” Van Pelt said. “If you have the time and the knowledge, please consider giving back to your community and volunteering.”

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