Illinois state Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) | reppauljacobs.com
Illinois state Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) | reppauljacobs.com
Illinois state Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) has joined the list of legislators calling for the ouster of Democratic state Sen. Patricia Van Pelt for her continued absences, calling it a disservice to her constituents.
“The people in the 5th District are the ones who are hurt the most by her actions,” Jacobs said in a recent interview with the SE Illinois News. “She was elected to represent them, and she is deliberately choosing to shirk her responsibilities. She is failing her constituents."
Lawmakers said they had not seen Van Pelt cast a single floor vote during the past legislative session, according to a recent Chicago City Wire report. Sources also reportedly said she did not participate in committee hearings or vote on a single bill in any of them.
“Sen. Patricia Van Pelt clearly has no interest in the job,” Jacobs said. “She should resign and let someone step in and represent the 5th District.”
Van Pelt continues to collect pay and benefits to represent parts of Chicago's north and west sides in the General Assembly. She maintains a state-funded district office and staff members are paid at the taxpayer's expense. But Jacobs and other politicians said Van Pelt does not participate in the legislative part of her job anymore and spends more time on her Dr. Pat life coaching business.
Should Van Pelt resign, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) could appoint a replacement.
“What Sen. Van Pelt is doing is wrong but ignoring this situation is almost as bad,” Jacobs said. “It is time for the Senate to do its duty and take the steps to discipline and ultimately expel her if that is what it takes to remove her from office.”
Senate Democrats do not seem concerned about Van Pelt’s chronic absences because they hold a 40-19 supermajority and therefore don’t miss her vote. Her state Senate District 5—which encompasses more than 218,000 residents—includes many of the highest-income communities in the city of Chicago, including parts of the West Loop and Fulton Market District, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, River West, Bucktown, Little Italy, Tri-Taylor, University Village and the Illinois Medical District.
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