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CHICAGO – On Tuesday afternoon, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) chaired the first Senate Public Safety Committee Hearing of the 102nd General Assembly to share updates on public safety and dispel rumors on carjacking in an effort to ease residents’ fears about the increase of crime in the city.
“With the increase in carjackings around the city, I wanted to make sure that the uprise of cases was discussed so the public could be properly informed,” Peters said. “I also thought it would be best to hear from criminal justice experts on the root causes of crime, so we as legislators can learn the best methods to increase safety in our communities.”
Read more: Public Safety Hearing focuses on root causes of gun violence, improving outcomes
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- Category: Senator Robert Peters News
CHICAGO – On Tuesday, Feb. 16, the Senate Public Safety Committee, co-chaired by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), will hold its first meeting of the 102nd General Assembly in a joint hearing with the Senate Criminal Law Committee.
“Our committees did great work over the summer and fall of 2020 to create and pass the landmark criminal justice package, and I’m eager to get to work to continue the fight for safety and justice,” said Peters, chair of the Public Safety Committee.
The subject of the hearing is “public safety outcomes update,” and one of the main topics will be the discussion of carjacking, a subject which has recently garnered a lot of intention and stoked a lot of public fear.
Peters hopes to use the hearing to share information and dispel rumors in an effort to ease residents’ fears about the safety of the city.
The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. More information can be found here.
WHO: Senate Public Safety Committee
WHAT: Subject matter hearing on public safety outcomes update
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Virtually, can be accessed via https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp
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- Category: Senator Robert Peters News
CHICAGO – After working hard to pass monumental legislation that begins to break down systemic racism as part of the Black Caucus agenda, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) vows to continue that fight in his new role as Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee.
“The criminal justice reform package we passed earlier this month went a long way toward securing real safety and justice for our communities, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Peters said. “The package did not remove systemic racism; it still exists and affects communities of color every minute of every day. As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I pledge to continue the fight and deliver a future where everyone in our state can be made whole.”
The Senate Public Safety committee, once a special committee, will now be permanent for the 102nd General Assembly, with Peters as the Chair. Chairman Peters played a significant role during the formation of the monumental criminal justice package that was passed earlier this month, serving as co-Chair of the nine joint committees held over the summer and fall, during which the majority of the package was discussed.
“The hearings we had last year showed just how important these issues are to everyone involved, and the responsibility to work toward a solution that makes things right is not one that I take lightly,” Peters said.
The appointment is Peters’ first as Chair of a permanent committee.
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) was sworn into his first full term in office today as the 102nd General Assembly officially began.
“This has been a trying year for many of us, so I do not take for granted the responsibility given to me by the people that I represent to look out for their best interests,” Peters said. “We are at a crossroads in our society, and I am confident that the 102nd General Assembly will be able to deliver real safety and justice to our communities and establish a world where everyone can be made whole.”
Peters joined the Senate in Jan. 2019, following the resignation of Sen. Kwame Raoul, who had been elected to serve as Attorney General the previous November.
The 102nd General Assembly serves until Jan. 11, 2023.
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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a sweeping criminal justice reform package Sunday as part of a larger plan authored by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to rid Illinois of systemic racism. The package included the elimination of cash bail, an issue for which State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) has been fighting for years.
“For too long, people in this state have spent time in jail only because they could not afford to pay their bail,” said Peters, who was recently elected Chair of the Senate Black Caucus. “The end of that practice is near. I’m thrilled that ending cash bail was part of the package we passed today, and I look forward to similar action from the House.”
Earlier this year, Peters filed Senate Bill 4025, known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, which was then folded into the criminal justice reform package. This portion of the bill eliminates cash bail as an option for pretrial detention and provides a presumption of pretrial release for all criminal defendants. The court retains the right to deny release under certain circumstances, pending the outcome of a hearing.
Read more: Peters celebrates ending cash bail as criminal justice package moves to House
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CHICAGO – At a meeting of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus earlier this week, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) was unanimously elected by his colleagues as the new caucus chair.
“I am honored and humbled to have been elected by my colleagues as the new chair of the Senate Black Caucus, and I want to thank them for trusting me with this important position,” Peters said. “The list of issues facing Black communities in our state is long and relentless, and I am excited to lead our caucus as we fight to win real safety and justice.”
Peters takes over as chair following a tumultuous summer, during which the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others by police sparked a nationwide movement of protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
Read more: Peters outlines goals as new Senate Black Caucus Chair
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CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) congratulated several museums in the 13th Senate District on receiving grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources earlier this week, part of a push to ensure these important local resources stay afloat during the ongoing pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put an economic strain on a lot of us, and museums are no exception,” Peters said. “These institutions are some of the most important cultural and educational centers of community, and it’s great to hear they’ll be getting funding that will ease a financial burden and allow them to make some improvements.”
Read more: Peters congratulates local museums for project grants
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CHICAGO – With the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act marketplace open now until Dec. 15, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is encouraging Illinois residents to apply and stressing the importance of health insurance during these unprecedented times.Read more: Peters: ACA open enrollment more important now than ever
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