CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt is announcing Chicago Public Schools will receive $2.5 billion in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to commend every student, parent, and teacher for making it through such an incredibly difficult year,” Van Pelt said. “Finally, the end of the pandemic is in sight, and thankfully, the state has received additional funding to help put an end to this dark time in schools.”

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CHICAGO – Tuesday afternoon, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) held a hearing in light of rising opioid overdose deaths in Cook County over the past year.

“I think it’s necessary to reanalyze substance addiction in a way that is not criminalizing the addict,” Van Pelt said. “Substance abuse is a disorder, and people need treatment, not punishment. The drug companies, dealers, doctors and pharmacists should be held accountable for the role they play in these overdoses.”

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CHICAGO – The state is expecting to receive 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government this week, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Committee, is encouraging Illinoisans over the age of 16 to get their shot as eligibility expands across the state.

“Now is the ideal time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” Van Pelt said. “As supplies of the vaccine increase and appointments become available, all who are eligible should make an appointment to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

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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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