SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D- Chicago) is leading an initiative with the Department of Human Services that will expand eligibility for special education facilities.

The proposed legislation would allow people with an orthopedic or other physical disability to attend the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Roosevelt.

“As we become more knowledgeable about various kinds of disabilities, it is important to revise our policies so that they are as inclusive as need be,” Van Pelt said. “Our understanding has grown, so our legislation must be changed to address that.”

In addition to updating some terminology, the bill would also require school districts to inform eligible families about the services available to those who have been diagnosed with a physical disability or impairment, and increase the qualified age of a “student” from age 21 to age 22.

The legislation is Senate Bill 2996, and is pending further action from the Illinois Senate.

Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) announced today it will be providing an opportunity for traditionally underrepresented minority-owned businesses in the IT/Telecom industry to become vendors for the state. The department will issue a Project/Resource Sheltered Market (PRSM) solicitation in the coming weeks. The PRSM program offers minority, women and persons with disabilities owned businesses in the IT/Telecom industry the opportunity to bid on State projects, with the goal of increasing supplier diversity in Illinois. Businesses interested in responding to the solicitation must be Business Enterprise Program (BEP) certified in order to participate.

“Under the leadership of Governor Pritzker, we are making reforms to ensure minority, women-owned, and persons with disabilities can compete for and win State contracts,” said Janel L. Forde, Acting Director of Illinois Department of Central Management Services and Chairwoman of the Business Enterprise Council. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment towards inclusion and provides BEP firms an opportunity in the IT/Telecom industry.” 

The upcoming PRSM will be the third solicitation developed in response to the Sheltered Market Report conducted by the Business Enterprise Council in 2013. The report found significant disparities in the State of Illinois’ contracting with minority and women business enterprises in the IT/Telecom industry. Participation in sheltered market solicitations is limited to entities certified by the Illinois Department of Central Management’s (CMS) BEP program.

“PRSM will supplement our current state technology resources by providing short-term and specific skill sets from a diverse group of suppliers,” said Ron Guerrier, Illinois CIO and Acting Secretary for DoIT. “This initiative offers businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities the ability to grow their business and will provide them with opportunities to become prime contractors.”

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CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt is leading an effort to allow an early learning and youth development center to purchase the state-owned property it has occupied for decades from Illinois Department of Children and Family Services control, a move that would require General Assembly approval.

Last year, the Carole Robertson Center for Learning received approvals for this transaction from the Governor Pritzker’s office and DCFS. However, because the property is not in the surplus property queue, the transaction requires specific legislation.

“The Carole Robertson Center is in need of renovations that the state is simply unable to perform,” Van Pelt said. “Selling off state property is not a move anybody involved makes lightly, but in this case it is the right thing to do. Thousands of disadvantaged children on Chicago’s West Side served by the Carole Robertson Center will benefit from renovations that will now be possible to the site under the Center’s ownership. I am proud to lead the effort to support families in our community with this legislative action.” 

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CHICAGO – In response to reports from the Illinois Department of Public Health that a second Illinois resident has contracted coronavirus – this time from person-to-person contact in the United State – Senator Patricia Van Pelt, chair of the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee is urging residents to stay calm but take reasonable precautions.

“Now that the second case of the coronavirus has been identified in Illinois, I want to remind residents of the Chicagoland area to take necessary precautions,” Van Pelt said. “Though the coronavirus has been declared a global health emergency, there’s no need to panic. As confirmed by the Department of Public Health, the risk of the coronavirus being an epidemic in our state remains low.”

“Though it isn’t receiving as much media attention, the flu still presents a higher risk,” Van Pelt continued. “So please, wash your hands often. Cover your coughs and your sneezes. Stay home when you are sick, and consult a doctor when needed. Stay informed. Be aware. Let’s all do our part to prevent the spread of flu and coronavirus.”

Recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s websites for more information on the outbreak and how to stay safe.

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