CHICAGO – Today Senate Democrats spoke out in support of the final design of the new headquarters for the University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago and apprenticeship partnership programs planned for the institute.

Within the next five years, the Chicago/Skills apprenticeship program will provide as many as 2,500 individuals with tuition free technology training along with paid apprenticeship opportunities, focusing on diverse apprentices. CVS has committed to hiring 200 successful participants of the program every year for the next three years.

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CHICAGO – For the first time since 2019, the number of sexual assault kits awaiting testing, also referred to as the DNA backlog, has been eliminated, announced State Senator Patricia Van Pelt.

After decades of extensive sexual assault forensic backlogs, the number of pending sexual assault forensic assignments older than 180 days, which was once more than 1,800, has reached zero.

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SPRINGFIELD – Building upon efforts to address maternal and infant mortality in the state of Illinois, the governor signed into law a measure led by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to expand access to prenatal services.

“Maternal mortality is a serious matter both in our state, and across the country, especially for Black women,” Van Pelt said. “Making prenatal and perinatal services more accessible can set those expecting up for a healthy delivery.”

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CHICAGO – More than 200 businesses on the city’s Westside have received over $11 million dollars in Back to Business grants thanks to support from State Senator Patricia Van Pelt.

“Our small business owners give us so much, and I jump at every opportunity I have to support their businesses,” said Van Pelt (D-Chicago). “Times are hard, and entrepreneurs need as much support as they can get.”

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