SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) allowing state’s attorneys to petition for sentence reductions passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday.

“There are several factors that go in to determining a sentence for a crime, but in time, some or all of those factors could change,” Peters said. “Giving state’s attorneys the ability to ask a court to reduce sentences will ensure that people aren’t locked up for longer than they should be.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is leading an effort to speed up the process when abused and neglected minors are moved between counties during the process of finding a suitable guardian.

“The kids we’re talking about here have already experienced abuse or neglect, or they’re otherwise dependent on the social services our state provides,” Peters said. “They shouldn’t get caught up in the court bureaucracy when they need to move between counties.”

The legislation requires that, when child protection cases are transferred between counties, the clerk of the transferring county must submit all related documentation within 15 days to the receiving county, which must then set a status hearing within 10 days of receipt.  Currently, there is no timeframe for the process.

SPRINGFIELD – Using a law he previously sponsored as a foundation, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is looking to expand civics education for re-entering citizens to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Many of the kids set to be released from IDJJ custody are doing so at a time in their lives when they’ll be legally recognized as adults for the first time, and a lot of new rights and privileges become available to them,” Peters said. “A person doesn’t lose access to those rights just because they were locked up, so it’s important to ensure that everyone knows what their rights are, how they can work to protect them, and the ways in which they can exercise them if they choose to do so.”

Senate Bill 2116 is an expansion of the Re-Entering Civics Education Act, a measure Peters sponsored that became law in 2019. The act required the Department of Corrections to provide civics education containing information around voting rights, government institutions, and simulations of the electoral and voting process to anyone who was scheduled to be released from custody within the next 12 months. The newest proposal expands this requirement to the Department of Juvenile Justice as well.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a proposal sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that looks to preserve the integrity of restorative justice practices, which are sometimes used in place of traditional court proceedings.

“We rely on restorative justice as an alternative method of addressing crime, but in order to be effective, those practicing it need to be sure it’s a safe space,” Peters said. “If someone is afraid that something they say might come back to be used against them, they’re far less likely to take full advantage of the benefits that a restorative justice practice has to offer.”

Peters’ legislation would prevent anything said or done during, in preparation for, or as a follow-up to a restorative justice practice from being used against someone in court, unless the protection is waved. The fact that a practice happened or is planned would be similarly privileged. A restorative justice practice is a measure to prevent trauma and repair harm by bringing adverse parties and community stakeholders together. They are becoming more common in schools, communities, and even courts.

“In order to win real safety and justice in our communities, we need to find effective alternatives to policing,” Peters said. “Restorative justice practices fill that role, so we need to work to preserve them.”

Senate Bill 64’s next stop is the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to combat a decades-long decrease in time set aside for physical activity in school, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure to require schools to provide students with daily time for play.

“Children have a right to play, period,” Peters said. “Physical activity is a crucial part of a child’s development, and since children spend most of their time at school, all schools should offer recess.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement after a Minnesota jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of the 2020 murder of George Floyd:

“Today, a jury decided that Derek Chauvin will be locked up and will face justice for murdering George Floyd, but we are still a long way from delivering George and his family the justice they truly deserve.

“True justice would be creating a society where police don’t murder unarmed Black people.

SPRINGFIELD – A new measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would help expand crisis response options across Illinois.

“Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis need appropriate treatment, and a quick and efficient response to a crisis is the most effective way to ensure they get it,” Peters said.

Illinois already has a program for crisis response, but it is underutilized because not enough people know that it’s even an option, and instead resort to calling the police.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would keep courts from using information shared during restorative justice practices.

Restorative justice practices are measures to prevent trauma and repair harm by bringing together adverse parties and community stakeholders. Use of restorative justice practices are becoming more common in schools, communities, and courts.

“Restorative justice practices are an important alternative means of addressing and dealing with crime, and any information they share can’t be used against them in court,” Peters said. “Restorative justice can’t work, when people are constantly on guard against incriminating themselves or creating civil liability.”

Senate Bill 64 provides that anything said or done during, in preparation for, or as a follow-up to a restorative justice practice, or the fact that the practice has been planned or has occurred, is privileged, and cannot be referred to, used, or admitted in any civil, criminal, juvenile or administrative proceeding unless the privilege is waived. The privilege does not apply if disclosure is necessary to prevent injury, death, or the commission of a crime, or to comply with another law.

“People should not have to second-guess their decisions to make use of an important tool for restoring justice out of fear of affecting the outcome of an open case,” Peters said.

The Senate Judiciary approved Peters’ measure, and it will now be sent to the full Senate for further consideration.