Lake County Gazette

Illinois Rep. Brad Halbrook has said that he would advocate for the resignation of State Senator Patricia Van Pelt, who has largely been missing from Springfield in recent months.

Since Van Pelt no longer takes part in the legislative process but has refused to resign from office, 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.

"What Sen. Van Pelt is doing is shameful," Halbrook told the Lake County Gazette. "She is collecting money and not even pretending to do her job. She is making a mockery of her oath of office as well as our system of governance." Halbrook noted that Van Pelt's website says she's “proud to serve as the State Senator from Illinois’ 5th District." "No, she is not," Holbrook said. "If she were, she would do her job."

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."

Halbrook said that Van Pelt "obviously doesn't want" to work in the legislature, so she should do the honorable thing and resign. However, the Senate could also vote to expel her, he noted.

"The Senate cannot let this situation continue. It is a total embarrassment to the Legislature. If she won’t resign, she must be expelled," he said.

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.