Patti Vasquez: From Punchlines to Policy Power

🎙️ Introduction

When Patti Vasquez hears cruelty or injustice, her mic comes on—and the volume goes up. This Chicago mom of two channels humor and heart to lift Illinois families, especially those touched by disability. ✨ By mixing wit with advocacy, she turns everyday moments into teaching tools that spark action, not just laughs.

Chicago mom-comedian in a cozy radio booth.

🎧 Radio Voice & Policy Muscle

Weekdays from 5-7 p.m. on WCPT 820 AM, Patti’s “Driving It Home” program keeps commuters informed and entertained. 📻 Off-air, she tackles red tape as Deputy Policy Advisor and Health & Human Services Liaison for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Her nonprofit, With Kind Words, trains doctors, teachers, and legislators to break tough news compassionately—an idea born from raising Declan, whose rare brain condition once carried a grim prognosis.

😂 Comedy, Books & Badmomz

Beyond politics, Patti tours with the Badmomz of Comedy troupe, proving advocacy can still bring the house down. 🎭 She’s also drafting a companion book to With Kind Words, sharing hard-won lessons from the front lines of special-needs parenting.

👩‍👦 Motherhood Comes First

“Whether you like it or not, you’ll hear my voice,” Patti laughs—but she credits husband Steve for steady support when medical bills and emotions run high. Balancing Griffin’s University of Chicago scholarship journey with Declan’s evolving care plan keeps the couple grounded—and grateful.

🌱 Advice for Fellow Parents

• Compare less, breathe more. 😌 Give yourself credit for each small win.
• Stay present. Bureaucracy is brutal; pausing for a deep breath keeps burnout at bay.
• Embrace the chaos. Therapy toys on the floor? That’s a sign of progress, not mess.

🕵️ Fast Facts

🏁 Conclusion

Patti Vasquez proves that a sharp joke and a sharper sense of justice can change systems—and lives. 🌟 Whether she’s slinging punchlines, grilling policymakers, or comforting parents in hospital hallways, her message is clear: lead with kindness, keep laughing, and never lower the mic when someone needs a voice.