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Peters measure to increase transparency in solitary confinement practices passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Monday, January 06, 2025 02:43 PM
  • Peters
  • IDOC
  • HB 4828
  • Restrictive housing practices

PetersSPRINGFIELD — A measure championed by State Senator Robert Peters aims to shed light on the use of restrictive housing, requiring the Illinois Department of Corrections to collect and publicly share data on how often and why people are placed in solitary confinement.

“Transparency is the foundation of accountability,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “By becoming more informed on how restrictive housing is used, we can ensure the system treats individuals fairly and humanely while holding our institutions to the highest standard of oversight.”

“Restrictive housing” is another phrase for solitary confinement – a form of housing that separates an individual in custody from the general population. The bill responds to growing concerns about the lack of publicly available data on solitary confinement practices in state facilities. Recent surveys conducted by the John Howard Association found that 42% of incarcerated individuals reported spending excess time in their cells, often not meeting the daily required minimum of two hours outside their sleeping area.

Read more: Peters measure to increase transparency in solitary confinement practices passes Senate

Peters resolution supports Community Preservation Plan for Promontory Point in Burnham Park

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Thursday, November 21, 2024 01:47 PM
  • Peters
  • SR891
  • Promontory Point
  • Community Preservation Plan

Peters SR891SPRINGFIELD — To support the preservation of Promontory Point, a historic landmark in Burnham Park, State Senator Robert Peters passed a resolution which aims to restore and protect the Point’s historic limestone retaining wall while ensuring public access and ecological sustainability.

“Promontory Point is a valued piece of Chicago’s history and an important public space for residents and visitors alike,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This resolution reflects our commitment to preserving its character while addressing shoreline erosion in a way that respects the community’s voice.”

Promontory Point is a 40-acre, man-made peninsula located at the south end of Burnham Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 and designated a Chicago landmark in 2023, the Point has long been at the center of preservation conversations. A 2002 proposal from the city of Chicago and the Chicago Park District sought to replace its historic limestone components with concrete and stone, sparking community opposition.

Read more: Peters resolution supports Community Preservation Plan for Promontory Point in Burnham Park

More people to receive unpaid wages, thanks to Peters

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Thursday, November 21, 2024 08:39 AM
  • IDOL
  • Wage Theft
  • I-CASH Program
  • HB3227

Sen. Peters

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois workers now have the ability to see if they are owed unpaid wages through the I-CASH website, thanks to advocacy from State Senator Robert Peters and Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

“Let’s be clear: Wage theft is theft. It’s in fact the leading form of theft,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “People deserve as much time as possible to recover their unpaid wages.”

The Illinois Department of Labor recovers back wages when it finds an employer has underpaid workers in violation of state law. Unfortunately for workers, wage theft investigations can take significant amounts of time. Illinois workers can now search the I-CASH website to see if unpaid wages and penalties pursued and collected by the Illinois Department of Labor are waiting for them to claim.

Read more: More people to receive unpaid wages, thanks to Peters

Peters’ law improves Crime Victims Compensation Program

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Friday, August 09, 2024 03:20 PM
  • Peters
  • Crime Victims Compensation
  • SB3713

Sen. Peters

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters’ legislation to expand assistance under the Crime Victims Compensation Program was signed into law on Friday.

“Exposure to traumatic events can have lasting impacts on an individual’s well-being,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “It is important for our laws to acknowledge all those who should be considered under this program and to take into account the diverse range of experiences and challenges someone may face.”

The losses suffered by victims of crime are diverse and can extend beyond the immediate incident, resulting in financial losses, disruptions to daily routines and employment, and other long-term physical and emotional consequences affecting an individual’s quality of life.

Read more: Peters’ law improves Crime Victims Compensation Program

Governor signs Peters’ child labor law overhaul

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 09:13 AM
  • Peters
  • AFL-CIO
  • IDOL
  • SB3646
  • Child Labor Laws

peters child labor 073024SPRINGFIELD — For the first time in nearly 75 years, Illinois will see strengthened protections for youth in the workforce thanks to State Senator Robert Peters.

“Young people in the current workforce encounter challenges unique to their generation,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “These updates to our child labor laws are needed to safeguard their rights and well-being, ensuring our youngest residents have a healthy balance between their work responsibilities, schooling, extracurricular activities and personal lives.”

With support from the AFL-CIO and the Illinois Department of Labor, Peters spearheaded the overhaul of the Illinois Child Labor Law to provide more protections for youth in the workforce by addressing working conditions, age requirements and sectors prone to exploitation.

Read more: Governor signs Peters’ child labor law overhaul

Black Caucus: Justice for Sonya Massey

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 12:17 PM
  • Peters
  • Sonya Massey
  • Illinois Legislative Black Caucus

peters ilbc massey 072324
CHICAGO
— State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), Senate Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the body camera footage which led to the indictment of the ex-deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home:

“This video is sickening. It is despicable and disgusting to see such brutal violence toward an innocent Black woman. How did this person ever become a law enforcement officer?

“This is why we fought for increased transparency.

“This is why we fought for body camera requirements.

“This is why we fought to end cash bail to keep dangerous people detained.

“But arresting and detaining the perpetrator isn’t the end. Justice demands answers and accountability. We need to know how and why someone capable of such a horrible act was given a badge and a gun in the first place.

“The repeated murders of unarmed Black people across the country is sickening and emotionally traumatizing. Sonya Massey is dead because she called 911 for help. Our communities deserve better. We stand with the Springfield community and the Massey family.

“May Sonya Massey’s memory be a blessing and bring comfort to those who knew her.”

Healthcare Protection Act signed into law thanks to Peters

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 01:15 PM
  • Peters
  • Healthcare Protection Act
  • Slideshow

Sen. Robert Peters with Gov. JB Pritzker

CHICAGO — Today, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement following the signing of his historic legislation – the Healthcare Protection Act – to reform predatory health insurance practices and protect patients:

“Like so many Illinois residents, I know the anxiety and fear that comes with navigating our health care system – especially right now as my wife and I are looking to have children in the near future and exploring fertility treatment options.

“It is hard enough trying to navigate the day in and day out of life – our health care policies and procedures shouldn’t add to that. Insurance is supposed to ease the burden of accessing health care, not create further obstacles.

Read more: Healthcare Protection Act signed into law thanks to Peters

Peters' legislation to streamline record-clearing for youth heads to governor

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Saturday, May 25, 2024 03:19 PM
  • Record Expungement
  • Youth in Criminal Justice System
  • SB3463

peters 052524SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters released the following statement in response to passage of his Senate Bill 3463 in the House, which will make record expungement a smoother process for youth involved with the juvenile court systems:

“We are changing how court systems see young people, helping them get back on track and be a part of the community again.

“Youth involved in the criminal justice system lack consistent legal representation, struggle to navigate legal procedures, and often miss notifications regarding potential expungement opportunities. This initiative prioritizes their rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

“Streamlining the expungement process by coordinating it with initial court decisions eliminates unnecessary appearances, enabling more young people to erase their past mistakes and concentrate on building a brighter future.

"I am immensely proud to witness both chambers advance this legislation with bipartisan support, and I look forward to the governor's support by signing Senate Bill 3463 into law.”

More Articles …

  1. Peters at the forefront of efforts to strengthen health care access and consumer protections
  2. Peters commemorates historic milestone with first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield
  3. Peters’ measure to ban bosses from holding mandatory political and religious gatherings at work
  4. Peters advances legislation creating fairer and impartial systems for domestic violence survivors
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