CHICAGO – After a draft Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“I am dumbfounded by the reports that the Supreme Court is expected to overturn Roe v. Wade. This ruling would not only take away women’s rights to their bodily autonomy, but it would also declare a war against working-class women.

“Abortions will continue to happen, they just will not be safe or legal in certain states. Thankfully, abortion rights are protected in Illinois, but the lives of many women will be put at risk elsewhere.

The application deadline has been extended to May 6

CHICAGO – The deadline to apply for the Phillip Jackson Freedom School Grant has been extended, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt encouraging all who are eligible to apply.

“While students are getting a standardized education, many children could benefit from an extra system of support,” Van Pelt said. “Today’s Freedom Schools carry the essence of the movement that preceded them, and can offer a load of knowledge to those who take advantage of it.”

The Phillip Jackson Freedom Schools Grant establishes a Freedom School network to supplement public school learning by creating programs that improve the odds for disadvantaged children.

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

“Prenatal and perinatal care can make a world of a difference in a mother and a child’s life,” Van Pelt said. “Unfortunately, everyone doesn’t have the same access to this kind of care, which is why the measure is vital.”

House Bill 5013 requires a managed care organization to pay for preventative prenatal services, perinatal healthcare services, and postpartum services rendered by a non-affiliated provider, as long as that the provider has not rejected a contract offered in good faith within the last twelve months or had a contract terminated for cause.

CHICAGO – Due to support from State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago), Malcolm X College was awarded a grant for a Certified Recovery Support Specialist Success program to prepare students for work as behavioral and mental health professionals.

“As people are still processing the pandemic and other worldly tragedies, mental health services are more important now than ever,” Van Pelt said. “It is crucial that we are training and preparing behavioral health personnel so they are equipped to serve the masses.”

Malcolm X College was one of 11 colleges and universities throughout the state who were awarded a total of $4 million in grants through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“It is imperative that we fund further initiatives to keep our communities safe, as many Illinoisans are living in fear due to gang violence and carjackings. I am glad that, finally, the Gang Crime Witness Protection Program I sponsored will be receiving $20 million in funding. This program is crucial to ensure that we can keep Illinoisans safe from the violence that plagues our communities.

“I will continue to advocate for an end to the violence that interferes with the safety of our most vulnerable populations, and for increased investment in violence prevention initiatives.

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is excited to announce that West Humboldt Park Development Council will receive $300,000 for corridor enhancements.

“Like any other neighborhood, the West Side community has been through a lot in the past few years, however, West Humboldt Park was already at a systemic disadvantage before the pandemic,” Van Pelt said. “This grant will help the developmental council to rebuild the community’s corridors, as well as its sentiment.”

West Humboldt Park will receive funding from the Illinois Department of Economic Development to enhance and provide additional services to local businesses through the Rebuild Distressed Communities program, made possible by the state’s historic Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

Projects for corridor improvements will repair and improve the surrounding area while increasing economic opportunities for impacted businesses. The projects were evaluated based on project need, capacity, quality and societal impact.

The final round of Rebuild Distressed Communities program provides $976,000 to 26 small businesses and $7.45 million to help revitalize seven commercial corridors located across the state.

“I am excited that this grant will help to revitalize the community after years of disinvestment and reeling effects from the pandemic and civil unrest, “ Van Pelt said. “Not only will the community receive major enhancements, but new economic opportunities as well.”

For more information on assistance available for small businesses, or to learn more about ongoing capital programs, people can visit DCEO’s website.

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Chicago Teacher’s Union voted to return to remote learning Tuesday night:  

“This is a trying time for all of us. The education of our children is a primary concern; however, the safety of our children and our educators must be our highest concern. I trust the experts who are closest to this problem to create safe, equitable solutions.

“Though vaccinations and booster shots are widely available, COVID-19 and its variants are to be taken seriously. Educators have triumphed through a lot of the pandemic’s challenges, and they should be trusted to do what is best for the health of their classrooms.”

CHICAGO – Last week the White House made new commitments to combat the nation’s obtuse rates of maternal mortality, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is excited to see a plan on a national level.

Tuesday was declared a Maternal Health Day of Action, identifying ways that federal and state governments can support mothers before, during and after childbirth. One initiative includes an investment of over $3 billion from the Build Back Better Act for maternal health funding.

“This is an issue near and dear to my heart, as Black women die at disproportionate rates due to pregnancy related causes,” Van Pelt said. “No one should die while giving life to another, and while I’ve been working to end this in our state, I’m glad to see it being addressed nationally.”

Van Pelt sponsored Public Act 102-0414, a measure to expand birthing center licenses in Illinois, which was signed into law in August. This initiative expands the available licenses for birthing centers from 10 to 17, providing that birth center alternative health care models shall be located in the West Side of Chicago, the South Side of Chicago and East St. Louis.

The White House is encouraging states to expand postpartum coverage, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is releasing new guidance on postpartum care and create a proposal for the establishment of a “Birthing-Friendly” hospital designation.  

“We must ensure not only that maternal related deaths are prevented, but also that mothers stay mentally and physically healthy after giving birth to their child,” Van Pelt said. “I am happy that the White House is committed to reducing complications around pregnancies and childbirth, and I know countless lives will be saved because of these measures.”

Illinois was the first state in the nation to extend coverage to ensure low-income mothers receive the support they need in the critical months following birth, and now the White House is encouraging the rest of the nation to do the same.