Chicago City Wire

Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland is calling on Democratic State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to get to work if she wants to keep her job.

“If she's not going to do her job, then she should resign,” Cleveland told Chicago City Wire. “There's no law that would force her to do that, but decency requires it.”

Chicago City Wire recently reported that despite Van Pelt announcing her resignation in a Facebook post in January, she never went through with it. Although Van Pelt no longer takes part in the legislative process, the publication reports she has refused to step down from office which would open the door for Senate Majority Leader Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) to appoint a replacement to represent the more than 218,000 residents of District 5.

Sources say they haven't seen Van Pelt cast any floor votes during the past legislative session or take part in any committee hearings or chamber activities. They also speculate that Democrats have likely remained mum about the issue because with their 40-19 supermajority they don't need Van Pelt's vote.

Van Pelt has continued to give speeches as a life coach under the name “Dr. Pat,” where her ongoing theme has largely centered on “soulmate attraction” and “regaining mastery over life and love.”

With her current term running through 2027, Van Pelt's 5th District includes many of the city's highest income neighborhoods and communities, including parts of the West Loop and Fulton Market District, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown, River West, Little Italy, University Village, Tri-Taylor and the Illinois Medical District.