SPRINGFIELD – During the lame duck legislative session, Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) voted to pass legislation that will enact major criminal justice reform in the state of Illinois.

“I am proud that my colleagues and I were able to pass such monumental measures this week,” Van Pelt said. “With the implementation of these provisions, we hope to prevent tragedies like the ones we’ve seen in the past several years. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the violation of Anjanette Young—all situations that could have been avoided with such legislation in place.”

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CHICAGO – Wednesday, a grand jury indicted a former police officer involved in the March shooting of Breonna Taylor, but on charges of wanton endangerment. None of the three officers involved in the shooting were charged for Breonna’s death, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is infuriated.

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CHICAGO — The second wave of Business Interruption Grants opened Thursday, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is urging eligible businesses to apply.

“As more types of businesses reopen, they, too, are in need of support,” Van Pelt said. “I know these grants won’t solve everything, but it will provide businesses with a chance to recuperate from all the loss they have suffered.”

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SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) introduced legislation that would allow incarcerated mothers to remain with their child for 72 hours after giving birth, unless a medical professional determines otherwise.

“It’s crucial for a baby to spend its first moments with its mother, and we want to ensure that,” Van Pelt said. “This way the baby gets the care it needs, while the mother is inspired to stay on her best behavior in the hopes she may return to her child.”

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