CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) announced over $1 million in investments for pre-apprenticeship programs on the West Side through the Illinois Works program.

“With this investment, local organizations will create jobs and wealth for the community at large,” Van Pelt said. “I am happy that West Side pre-apprenticeship programs will receive much needed backing for training and wraparound supportive services.”

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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.”

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CHICAGO – In order to promote investment and equity in underserved communities, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is encouraging West Side community organizations to apply for state grants under the Restore, Reinvest and Renew (R3) grant program.

“The communities that I represent have long suffered from a lack of investment and opportunity,” Van Pelt said. “The R3 program was created with communities like West Garfield Park and Humboldt Park in mind, and organizations who are in such areas should apply.”

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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.”