Lake County Gazette

Illinois State Rep. Kevin Schmidt said he wants Illinois State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt to resign, saying Van Pelt hasn't participated in her legislative duties, although she is still collecting a state paycheck and benefits.

Since Van Pelt no longer takes part in the legislative process but has refused to resign from office, State Senate Majority Leader Don Harmon can't appoint a replacement for the District 5 seat and its more than 218,000 residents. According to a report by the Chicago City Wire, sources claim they didn’t see Van Pelt cast a single floor vote or take part in any committee hearings during the legislative session. Critics say Democrats haven't pushed for the seat to be filled, since with their 40-19 supermajority, they don't need Van Pelt's vote.

"It is my hope she will resign," Schmidt told the Lake County Gazette. "If she won’t do the job, then she needs to resign and she needs to do it sooner than later." He also added that he thinks he "owes her constituents and the people of Illinois an apology. Cashing paychecks while refusing to do the job of being a legislator is disgraceful."

According to reports, Van Pelt has been unable to join her Senate colleagues in Springfield due to medical issues, though she continued to give speeches as a life coach under the name "Dr. Pat." 

"Serving in the legislature is a privilege, not a right," Schmidt said. "Illinois has 12.6 million people and only 177 Illinois residents have the opportunity to serve in the General Assembly. Those of us who serve as legislators owe it to our constituents to do what the people elected us to do. Senator Van Pelt is failing the people who elected her."

Van Pelt's term runs through 2027. District 5 includes many of the city's highest-income neighborhoods such as 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.