- Published: 08 March 2021
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.”