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.
Read more: Peters looks to expand mental health crisis response options
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.
SPRINGFIELD – Building upon a law he sponsored in the previous General Assembly, State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) new measure would extend required civics education to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
“Just because a person is incarcerated does not mean they lose the rights that past generations have fought and died to guarantee them,” Peters said. “Folks who are set to be released should learn what their rights are and how to use them once they’re out.”
In 2019, Peters sponsored the Re-Entering Civics Education Act, which required the Department of Corrections to offer civics education to incarcerated people who were due to re-enter society upon the completion of their prison sentences within the next year. Senate Bill 2116 extends that provision to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The curriculum of the program would be centered around voting rights, government institutions, current affairs, and simulations of the electoral and voting process and will be administered over the course of three 90-minute sessions.
“Many of the kids who are set to be released from DJJ custody will be old enough to vote for the first time, and they deserve to know exactly what their rights are and how they can vote if they choose to do so,” Peters said.
Having passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee unanimously, the measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – On Oct. 7, 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered a speech to the Illinois AFL-CIO at the Illinois State Armory. A resolution sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would place a bronze plaque at this site, commemorating this historic event.
“Dr. King is one of history’s greatest Americans, who worked untold wonders for Black folks in this country,” Peters said. “While he is rightfully most known for his advocacy for civil rights, he also advocated for labor rights, and 55 years ago, in the shadow of the Illinois Capitol, he gave a speech outlining how intertwined the two are. We should commemorate this historic occasion and honor one of the most important figures in the fight for civil and labor rights.”
Read more: Peters resolution would commemorate site of MLK Speech
SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) argued the merits of a plan to require the Department of Children and Family Services to assist youth-in-care with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in a virtual meeting of the Senate Health Subcommittee on Children & Family.
“One of the most stressful times for youth-in-care is their senior year in high school, because not only are they close to aging out of the system, but they also have to consider their future plans, including college and how to pay for it,” Peters said. “Providing assistance in applying for financial aid will help ease some of the burden for youth-in-care by giving them one less thing to worry about.”
Senate Bill 63 requires DCFS to ensure that every youth-in-care has completed a FAFSA by no later than Nov. 1 of the youth’s final year in high school. It also requires DCFS to assist the youth in acquiring any documents that are necessary to complete the FAFSA, including Social Security card, driver’s license number, and tax and other financial information.
The legislation, which is an initiative of the National Association of Social Workers, passed the committee unanimously. Peters sponsored a similar proposal in 2020, but it was sidelined due to changing priorities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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
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
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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