CHICAGO - State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-5th Senate) is helping the United States Department of Education spread the word about the launching of the "Second Chance Pell Grant Pilot Project". This program is designed to help individuals who are incarcerated get post-secondary education to help reduce recidivism.

Studies have shown that education is a key to helping those who are incarcerated get good paying employment after release, which in turn helps support families and keeps people out of trouble.

For more information, please view the US Department of Education release here.

CHICAGO – A national organization whose mission is to help put a stop to modern day slavery in the United States will get help from the state as it works to fight human trafficking. A measure sponsored in the Illinois Senate by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) was recently signed into law that will help promote the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s hotline, designed to directly help victims of this horrible crime.

Senate Bill 43 will require the Illinois Department of Human Services and Illinois Department of Transportation to promote public awareness of the national human trafficking hotline, including displaying signs in high risk areas, such as truck stops, bus stations, train stations, airports and rest stops. The initiative will ensure more individuals have access to the hotline number and are also able to receive the help and resources they most need.

"I came to the Legislature to help restore lives and create a more just society. Senate Bill 43 helps move us toward that goal,” Van Pelt said. “By providing the victims of human trafficking this vital resource, we are helping to stop modern day slavery in our nation and working to rebuild shattered lives."

According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, the hotline has fielded over 85,000 calls since 2007, resulting in uncovering over 39,000 victims of human trafficking. Many of those cases are related to the underground sex trade but also include forced labor. A vast majority of the victims of human trafficking are women. Since beginning of 2015, the hotline has received over 5,200 calls.

Victims of human trafficking are encouraged to call the hotline at 1-888-373-7888. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential. Online resources are also available at the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s website, traffickingresourcecenter.org.

CHICAGO - State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-5th Senate), in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, is helping spread the word to residents about events to celebrate this momentous occasion.

On Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22, the Disability Rights Museum on Wheels will be set up in the East Parking Lot of the Field Museum at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. In addition to the museum exhibit, there will be wheelchair sports demonstrations supported by the Chicago Park District and RIC. The sports demos will be 11 am to 6 pm on July 21 and from 11 am to 1 pm on July 22. For more info, contact Larry Labiak at (312) 742-5097 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Also, the Illinois Department of Human Services in cooperation with numerous State Agencies and Councils is proud to celebrate the many accomplishments of people with disabilities.  On July 21, 2015, at the James R. Thompson Center (JRTC) from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  FREE workshops will be provided and a telecast to a Springfield site will be available for specific workshops!  See below for workshop topics and location of the Chicago event as well as the Springfield site via telecast.  Registration will be conducted on a first come, first served basis. There is limited space available, so it is important to register at https://ada25illinoisworkshops.eventbrite.com.
 
Registration Information:
Job fair/employers: https://2015adacelebration-jobfair.eventbrite.com
Job fair/job-seekers: https://adacelebrationillinois-jobseekerticket.eventbrite.com
Workshop Schedule: https://ada25illinoisworkshops.eventbrite.com
Main page: http://adacelebrationillinois.eventbrite.com

SPRINGFIELD - Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) joined other Senate Democrats in taking a stand against the governor's cuts to the Child Care Assistance Program, drawing attention to the human face of those on CCAP.

Please take a moment to view Senator Van Pelt's comments in this video.