SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement as the Senate passed a budget for the upcoming fiscal year: 

“With all of the adversities stemming from COVID-19, it’s important that the state budget provides all the support possible to the organizations that help the most vulnerable among us, who need help now more than ever.

“The budget we passed during this special session safeguards funding for our schools, universities, and the social service programs that are essential to our communities.

“I am glad that the General Assembly came together to support these institutions in their time of need, and I urge the governor to act quickly to sign this budget.”

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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