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.”

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SPRINGFIELD – During this past January session, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) voted in favor of legislation that would support the growth of minority business procurement and other economic opportunities for people of color.

“This agenda addresses much of the discrimination that runs rampant in the business and financial sectors, and I believe a lot of people will benefit from it,” Van Pelt said. “Women, Black and Brown people, and people with disabilities all deserve the same opportunities, period. This legislation will ensure the playing field is equal.”

This legislation addresses issues minorities face in housing, state contracting procurement, business barriers and predatory lending. If enacted, the state would be prohibited from contracting with a private business with more than 100 employees that does not have an equal pay certificate.

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SPRINGFIELD – During January’s session, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) voted to reform Illinois’ education system.

“Education is the foundation for so many aspects of how we view ourselves, and the world around us,” Van Pelt said. “It is vital to update our curriculums to reflect our country’s diverse and complex history.”

The legislation creates an Inclusive American History Commission to reform the Black history curriculum and curriculums for teaching about other minority groups. This commission isn’t just going to look at Black history – it will look at how we teach the history of all historically marginalized groups – Latinx, women, LGBTQ, Jewish, and more.

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SPRINGFIELD – Last week, both the Senate and the House approved an effort led by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to allow an early learning and youth development center to purchase the state-owned property it has occupied for decades from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“I am happy both chambers have moved The Carole Robertson Center one step closer to reaching independence. The Center has been in need of renovations that the state is simply unable to perform,” Van Pelt said. “Selling off state property is not a move anybody involved makes lightly, but in this case, it is necessary. Under the Center’s ownership, it will become possible for thousands of disadvantaged children on Chicago’s West Side to benefit from renovations to the site.”

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