State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) has announced her retirement after being a no-show all legislative session in Springfield.
Van Pelt’s retirement comes nearly two months after a Chicago City Wire exposé revealed she had abdicated her duty but held onto her ample legislative salary while actively pursuing other interests.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the 5th Senate District for the last decade,” the Democrat from Chicago’s West Side said in a news release. “Throughout this time, we have accomplished much change to ensure the voiceless are heard and the underserved receive the help they need.”
The move came a day after the Chicago Tribune asked Van Pelt about her absence during the 2023 legislative session. Van Pelt, a Democrat from Chicago, was absent from legislative duties in 2023 but refused to resign despite not participating in committee hearings, voting on bills, or casting any floor votes during the past legislative session.
Instead, she focused on her consulting business centered on "soulmate attraction" and "regaining mastery over life and love." She has faced criticism for selling tickets to "get rich quick" seminars on marijuana stocks and has announced plans for an international conference in Madrid charging $1,500 per person to participate, according to Chicago City Wire.
A replacement for her senate seat will be chosen by a group of Chicago Democratic ward committeemen, and the seat will be up for election next year.
Politico noted the appointment of the next state senator in the 5th District of Chicago will reveal the power struggle between progressives and old-school politicians.
State Rep. Lakesia Collins and State Rep. Jawaharial “Omar” Williams are both vying for the position.
Williams is the son of Ald. Walter Burnett., who holds a weighted vote, which gives him a significant say in the selection process. He said he will not step aside despite the clear conflict of interest, Politico reported.
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