CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is horrified by the shooting of eight people – six who were Asian Americans – in Georgia-based massage parlors last night. She released the following statement:

“My heart goes out to all the families of the victims that were senselessly murdered in Atlanta last night. It appears that the shooter was targeting women of Asian descent, which is deeply troubling.

“White nationalism is on the rise in this country, and we must begin to take this ideology as a serious threat. We cannot normalize behavior that spews hate and bigotry toward people of Asian descent.

“Reports have shown that violence against Asian Americans has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we must all do our part to prevent race-baiting rhetoric that leads to violence.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the U.S. Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, which will offer COVID-19 relief to countless Americans:

"For nearly a year now, people across the nation have been struggling to cope with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions in our state alone have suffered from unemployment, business closures, the inability to pay rent, and hunger.

Read more ...

CHICAGO – Illinois students will see increased minority representation under a new law supported by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago).

“Education is the foundation for so many aspects of how we view ourselves and the world around us, and it is vital that the curriculum is updated to be as well-rounded, inclusive and accurate as can be,” Van Pelt said. “I am happy to see that the initiatives of the Legislative Black Caucus will soon be implemented.”

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – Approximately 2,000 children are arrested every day in the United States, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) wants to make sure Illinois youth who find themselves in this situation are properly represented.

“One of the flaws of our criminal justice system is how it takes Black and Brown youth for prey. When minors are not represented properly, they are liable to be coerced and be taken into the system regardless of their innocence,” Van Pelt said. “For minority youth, one encounter with the system is enough to impact the trajectory of their life for the worst.”

Read more ...