SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters supported a measure to allow justice-impacted individuals to legally change their names, which passed out of the Senate Tuesday.

“There are a million reasons why someone could have been impacted by the justice system, and sometimes you find their only crime was trying to survive,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Sometimes, people need a new identity for their safety, and for their ability to truly lead a good life. This legislation would be an aid in those scenarios.”

House Bill 2542 allows individuals on various criminal registries to file for a name change if the change is sought for the reasons of marriage, transgender identity, religious beliefs, or status as a victim of trafficking.

In particular, many transgender people and victims of human trafficking have crimes of survival in their backgrounds, and need to be able to change their names in order to move on with their lives.

“This legislation is important because it could save someone’s life, or help them move on from a past that wasn’t kind to them,” Peters said. “Further, this could help affirm someone’s chosen gender. It’s necessary that we allow people with justice-impacted backgrounds to change their name.”

House Bill 2542 now awaits consideration from the governor.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters is leading a measure that would allow principals and assistant principals in the city of Chicago to collectively bargain.

“For far too long, Chicago principals have not had a say in the work environment and procedures that affect them, as well as their students,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Chicago principals have a voice when it comes to their working conditions, and their voice deserves to be heard and valued.”

By clarifying which educators are considered qualifies “managerial employees”, House Bill 5107 ensures principals and assistant principals in Chicago will have the right to unionize.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced that $255,000 will be available for those in need of transportation to meet their pre-trial court, probation, or parole conditions, and State Senator Robert Peters is encouraging justice-impacted individuals to apply.

Grants will be made in the amounts of $40,000 to $50,000 and must be expended between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. The application deadline for this program is Nov. 10, 2022.

“It’s no secret that our criminal justice system isn’t working, as it often punishes people for being poor, rather than focusing on community safety,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Those who are low-income don’t always have dependable transportation, which means their life, their arrival to court, is in someone else’s hands. This program would help eliminate those obstacles.”  

Supported with federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds, this opportunity will offer grants to local units of government to support programs that assist in providing transportation to court proceedings, court-ordered services, probation appointments, employment, community service, and treatment.

In both rural and urban communities across the state, transportation barriers are a concern. With fewer local services in rural areas, individuals must travel longer distances to attend treatment or obtain employment. In urban communities, public transportation is not always available or reliable. In addition, some clients become at increased risk for violence when moving through gang territories.

JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, and information systems for criminal justice in areas of law enforcement, the courts, drug treatment/enforcement, community corrections, and other aspects of the justice system.

Learn more about this grant opportunity at icjia.illinois.gov.

Washington, D.C. — With growing momentum sweeping across the United States to rein in the power of dominant corporations, State Senator Robert Peters announces the launch of Fight Corporate Monopolies Task Force, a new coalition of state and local leaders leading the charge.

“Corporate monopolies extract wealth from working class communities, particularly communities of color,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Companies like Amazon make deals in the shadows that dangerously fluctuate prices, suppress wages and propel a race to the bottom. We have to fight back against the unchecked power corporate monopolies exploit and the illusion that if we don’t give into that power, then we’re blocking economic development.”

CHICAGO – Following the passage of the Illinois Senate Democrat-championed Reimagine Public Safety Act, $100 million in grants to advance anti-violence funding in Illinois was announced.

“This round of funding will make a difference in the lives across some of the most vulnerable communities in the state,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “The more programs we have to support our youth, the better chance we have at disrupting gun violence.”

The $100 million will help provide direct services to 16 communities and municipalities and include violence prevention, trauma informed behavioral health services, and youth intervention services. This investment builds on $113 million in funding made available in May as well as $10 million in funding for Chicago and other granted areas ahead of the summer.

Chicago – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement … in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision:

"This decision is a threat to broader fights for justice everywhere. This is a gateway for the far right to start attacking so many important rights we have today. The Supreme Court’s extremist decision to strip people of their abortion rights is appalling and will not reduce abortions, but only further penalize working class communities especially working class Black and Brown communities.”

SPRINGFIELD - A measure supported by Senator Robert Peters to protect restaurants, bars and retailers from deceptive third-party practices was signed into law.

“Small businesses and especially Black and Brown owned businesses have suffered during the last two years,” said Peters (D- Chicago). “We have to ensure that restaurants and bars are able to support themselves and that outside delivery services do not take advantage of small businesses.”

The new law will prohibit third-party delivery services from listing non-partnered restaurants or retailers on their platform.  In addition, this law would prohibit a third-party delivery service from posting a menu, registered trademark or any intellectual property of a restaurant, bar or retail establishment without the express written consent of that business.

HB 3205 was signed into law Friday and will take effect January 1, 2023.

Springfield - A task force to investigate missing and murdered women in Chicago will be established after a measure supported by Senator Robert Peters was signed into law.

“For too long, the families of Black and Brown women have been left with no answers about the loss of their loved ones,” said Peters (D - Chicago). “Everyone, regardless of zip code, deserves justice, and every community deserves real public safety. This task force will help us provide justice for these families and provide guidance on how to address these cases.”

The new law creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, which will examine and report on the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.