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.

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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.”

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CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt is announcing Chicago Public Schools will receive $2.5 billion in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to commend every student, parent, and teacher for making it through such an incredibly difficult year,” Van Pelt said. “Finally, the end of the pandemic is in sight, and thankfully, the state has received additional funding to help put an end to this dark time in schools.”

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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.”

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