SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to the Senate's attempt to vote on the Grand Bargain today:

“Today, after months of negotiations and repeated attempts by Senate Democrats to compromise, Senate Republicans and Governor Rauner made clear that they have no intention of passing a bipartisan budget and reform package of legislation. The people of Illinois can’t wait any longer. Every day without a budget costs the state $11 million, all while human service providers are shutting their doors, after-school programs are being underfunded and students who rely on MAP Grants are uncertain about their futures. We can’t allow Republicans to delay us any longer. Passing a balanced budget must be our top priority.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after voting for a measure that would enact automatic voter registration and remove a barrier to voting for Illinois citizens:

“At a time when we're seeing a major rollback of voting rights across the country, I'm proud that Democrats and Republicans came together and voted to expand access to the ballot in Illinois,” Van Pelt said. “Voter registration laws disproportionately affect minorities, women, seniors and low-income individuals. Automatic voter registration will remove a barrier to voting and help ensure that all eligible Illinoisans are able to participate in our democracy should they so choose.”

Currently, there are more than 2 million Illinoisans who are eligible to vote but aren’t registered. If Senate Bill 1933 is enacted, eligible Illinoisans will be automatically registered to vote when they interact with certain state agencies. If an individual does not want to be registered, they can opt-out.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to the ruling on Chicago Public Schools’ lawsuit against the state:

“Governor Rauner has made it clear that Chicago’s children are just pawns in his political game, but I am hopeful that enough members of the General Assembly will come together to provide Chicago Public Schools with the same level of funding that every other school district receives. It’s time to put politics aside and put our children and their education first.”

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The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)'s Future Leaders in Planning leadership development program offers a free program for teens who want to have a voice in the future of the Chicago region. High school students who want to help make their community a better place should apply for CMAP's Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program.

Watch this video to learn more about experiences of previous FLIP graduates and read a recap of the 2016 program. 

Applications for the July program are due on May 15, 2017. Click here to apply.