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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SPRINGFIELD – In order to combat higher rate of maternal mortality, Black mothers would have more birth options under a measure sponsored by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) that was advanced out of the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Tuesday afternoon.

“So many Black mothers have died unnecessarily due to racism within our health care system and a lack of options for care,” Van Pelt said. “We must ensure that more options are available to them for pre- and post-natal care, so that we can avoid the grave statistics of maternal mortality.”

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CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is excited that $1.7 million has been granted to parks in the 5^th District through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreational Facility Construction grant program.

“I am happy that the Franklin and Garfield park facilities will receive the funding to allow for proper updates and renovations,” Van Pelt said. “As the state continues its reopening process, these renovations will be even more necessary.”

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