Patricia Van Pelt
| Patricia Van Pelt | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 5th district |
|
| Assumed office January 9, 2013 |
|
| Preceded by | Annazette Collins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1957 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Roosevelt University (B.S.) Spertus Institute (M.S.) Capella University (Ph.D.) |
| Profession | Community Organizer Certified Public Accountant |
| Religion | Christian |
Patricia Van Pelt (born November 20, 1957) is a member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 5th district, which is located on the West Side of Chicago.[1] Prior to her service as a member of the Illinois Senate she was a community activist and ran for Mayor of Chicago.
Contents
Early life and career
Van Pelt was born on the Near North Side and raised in the Cabrini Green's public housing.[2] Inspired by her mother's ability to work, raise her children and go to school,[3] she took a job as a steelworker while taking classes at Truman College. She earned a bachelor's in public administration and became a CPA after taking accounting classes at DePaul University.[4]
Using her life experience and education, she founded Target Development Corp which worked to improve communities. This including teaching residents how to peacefully evict drug dealers from their neighborhoods.[3] In 2009, she earned a doctorate degree in management of non profit organizations from Capella University.[5]
Chicago mayoral election, 2011
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In 2010, Watkins announced that she was going to run for mayor in order to bring ideas to the forefront that had been forgotten about. During the campaign, she was accused of "being strung out on crack for twenty years," by candidate and former US Senator Carol Mosley Braun, which Watkins credits to her future political success.[6] She finished fifth on election day.
Illinois State Senator
2012 Senate election
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In 2011, Van Pelt announced that she would challenge Annazette Collins for the Illinois Senate's 5th district. During the primary election she was endorsed by several aldermen from the fifth district,[7] and the Chicago Journal.[8]
Aldermanic endorsements included Walter Burnett and Bob Fioretti. Fioretti stated that “Her integrity is beyond reproach. She will roll her sleeves up and research the issues and make the right decisions for all the people. She won’t be beholden to the special interests that control Springfield right now.” [9]She was also endorsed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who previously supported Collins, after Collins's corruption came to the forefront.[8] Van Pelt beat Collins by a 54%-46% margin.[6]
Tenure
Van Pelt was sworn in on January 9, 2013.
References
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- ↑ http://www.chicagojournal.com/news/01-04-2012/Van_Pelt-Watkins_gains_support_for_5th_District_seat_as_residency_issues_dog_Collins
External links
- Biography, bills and committees at the 98th Illinois General Assembly
- Illinois State Senator Van Pelt legislative website
- Senator Patricia Van Pelt Watkins at Illinois Senate Democrats
- Patricia Van Pelt Watkins for Senate campaign website
