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 102^nd 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

SPRINGFIELD – In the wake of months-long nationwide protests against police brutality and misconduct, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) took the first step toward reforming the criminal justice system last week by filing the Pretrial Fairness Act, which would end cash bail in Illinois.

“For many people, the definition of ‘criminal justice’ ends at the point of arrest, but it’s important to realize the true size of the entire system,” Peters said. “The reality is that the criminal justice system is large, wide reaching, and full of systemic injustice from top to bottom. The hope is that the Pretrial Fairness Act will be the first in a long series of reforms to reshape the system that has destroyed so many families.”

CHICAGO — State legislators will continue their discussion on police reform during Thursday’s joint hearing of the Senate Criminal Law Committee and Senate Special Committee on Public Safety.

Senate Criminal Law Chair State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) and Senate Public Safety Special Committee Chair State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) will co-chair the joint hearing. State Representative Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) of the House Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee and other members of the committees will participate as guests.

Discussions at the hearing will focus on the Uniform Peace Officers' Disciplinary Act, qualified immunity and officer liability.

It will be the eighth criminal justice reform hearing called by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Criminal justice reform is one of four pillars the caucus is using to guide their agenda to address systemic racism. The pillars include:

1. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
2. Education and workforce development
3. Economic access, equity and opportunity
4. Health care and human services

To watch the virtual committee, visit https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp and click "Watch Live Virtual Committee Video." The link will become available when proceedings begin.

Who: Senate Criminal Law Committee and Senate Special Committee on Public Safety

What: Joint hearing on police reform

When: 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5

Where: Virtual hearing can be viewed here: https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp#

Blue Room Stream, a subscription-based service, will also stream the hearing at https://livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/9326370.