SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) that would create a Forensic Science Commission passed the Senate Thursday.

“This very measure is why we have hearings, to guide the legislation that impacts culture,” Van Pelt said. “There are still people awaiting answers as the DNA backlog decreases, and a commission is needed to improve coordination between police and forensic scientists to help further the decrease in the backlog.”

CHICAGO – Nearly a year after the world saw George Floyd murdered on tape, a jury found ex-police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of his murder. State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement in reaction to his verdict:

“Last summer, the entire world was horrified by a murder that lasted eight minutes and 46 seconds. Though a trial was not necessary to prove what we all saw with our eyes, I am satisfied that this time, the criminal justice system worked.

“Though Derek Chauvin’s direct actions resulted in George Floyd’s murder, Chauvin is not the only one responsible for this tragedy. Chauvin and his actions are a part of a larger problem in this country, where racism has been embedded in our largest systems, policing included.

“Convicting Chauvin is just the beginning, and we must take more action to dismantle systemic racism, similar to the SAFE-T Act in Illinois, if we want to increase equity in the criminal justice system.

“I vow that as long as I am living, I will do all that I can to support and enact such measures. I hope that George Floyd’s family is able to find peace and comfort with this verdict.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is outraged after viewing the footage of police shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo, and released the following statement:

“My heart goes out to the family of Adam Toledo. The video confirms something Black and Brown Americans have known for centuries: The police force was never created to protect us.

“People who have vowed to protect and serve cannot keep lying to the public and expect trust and civility in return – especially when Black and Brown families keep losing their loved ones to police bullets. The marginalized cannot keep witnessing the death of their kin and believe their lives matter in this unjust world.

“This cycle of police violence cannot continue, and I will continue to advocate for more justice and accountability from such oppressive systems, starting with the Chicago Police Department.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement after an announcement that Kimberly-Clark, maker of trusted brands including Huggies and Kleenex, will expand its presence in Chicago with a new commercial center for its North American consumer products business:

 “The North American Commercial Center is expected to open in the Fulton Market area of Chicago, which will fall in the district I represent. I am confident that this initiative will create a massive increase in employment, while also providing an economic boost to our community.

“After a year like 2020, bringing employment opportunities to the 5^th District is crucial to the financial recovery of thousands of residents.

“Kimberly-Clark has been a hub for consumers worldwide, and I could not be happier that Chicago will get a taste of its liquidity. I commend everyone involved in this effort, and I will look forward to the center’s launch.”

The announcement was made Wednesday by Governor JB Pritzker, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and World Business Chicago.

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) said additional funding the state will receive to expand Illinois’ vaccination program will save lives, especially in communities of color that have been hit hardest by the virus.

“This funding is necessary for our state to increase vaccine accessibility, especially for those communities disproportionately affected by the ongoing pandemic,” Van Pelt said. “I commend the CDC for their effort to expand the COVID-19 vaccination program.”

Illinois will receive an additional $124 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand the COVID-19 vaccination program, including more than $90 million for the state and $33 million for the City of Chicago. Approximately 75% of the funding will focus on underserved and disproportionate communities affected by the pandemic to ensure vaccines are distributed to people fairly.

 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.”

 Gloria Banks, member of Mothers Opposed to Violence Everywhere, testified that users are victims, and dealers are the ones who should be criminalized. Banks’ brother Jay died last December of an overdose.  Banks said she doesn’t believe it to be an accident, but rather a homicide.

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.”

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.”

Access to health care, hospital closures, managed care organization reform, community health worker certification and reimbursement, maternal and infant mortality, mental health and substance abuse treatment, hospital reform, and medical implicit bias are all areas that are addressed in the massive health care measure.

The bill also includes several actions on racial justice, including creating an Anti-Racism Commission, as well as updating health care professional trainings to include implicit bias training in order to renew a license or registration.

“Making sure that everyone in the medical professional community has adequate implicit bias training was a top priority of this legislation,” Van Pelt said. “We heard from various experts for months about how important it was for professionals to understand their patients’ ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Removing implicit bias is necessary to make sure everyone receives the best – and at times, lifesaving – care.”

The bill also requires the Department of Public Health to present the General Assembly with a State Health Assessment and State Health Improvement plan that seeks ways to improve the public health system, reduce health disparities and promote health equity.

House Bill 158 passed both chambers and now awaits the governor’s signature.