Chicago- Following the early release of Jason Van Dyke from prison, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“I wholeheartedly condemn the early release of former Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke. From the brutality of the number of shots that he fired and the clear evidence of the camera recording the incident, Van Dyke was clearly guilty for the murder of Laquan McDonald.”

“There are working class Black and Brown and white rural residents stuck in prison, convicted of offenses with far less evidence and this release does nothing except highlight the tragic and inherent flaws and contradictions of our criminal legal system and the public safety status quo. This is why we must continue to work for change.”

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker gave his annual budget and state of the state addresses this morning, after which State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“This budget is at a good place, and considering the circumstances, it reflects a more optimistic outlook than where we were a year ago. The budget proposal certainly takes into account the improved circumstances of our state’s economic and fiscal situations, and it’s a good place to begin the process of drafting our first budget that puts us on the road to economic recovery during this pandemic. It continues the work of cleaning up the mess that we, the Democrats, were left with after the disasters of the previous administration. This is going to show Illinoisans that we are good fiscal stewards, that we’re not only taking care of their money they entrust us with, but also that we are making real investments in uplifting all of our communities across the state-that we are building a state for the many and not the few.”

Chicago – Dozens of local South Side businesses were recently awarded over $2.4 million in funding from the Back to Business Program to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the support of State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“Businesses across the state have been negatively impacted in the last two years, especially Black and Brown-owned small businesses and in the hospitality industry,” Peters said. “These grants are giving South Side businesses a much needed boost to get back on their feet as we continue to recover.”

The B2B program grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Sen. Peters – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

In the district Peters represents, 81  businesses were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $145,000 to help them cover the costs of safely staying open in these unpredictable times. Businesses ranged from barber shops to photography studios and more.

Chicago — The Tools Up Foundation of Chicago received an Illinois Works Grant to support their pre-apprenticeship program to increase diversity in the construction trades, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) announced Friday.

“For too long, many communities have not been adequately represented in the construction industry,” Peters said. “There is so much talent in our community that has been unable to enter into these fields, and I’m glad to see that there is a program available to help give them the support and the mentorship they need.”

The Tools Up Foundation is a nonprofit pre-apprenticeship program, preparing underrepresented groups to enter the construction trades. The Tools Up Foundation received a grant of $326,597 to support their work in building the next generation of diverse talent in the construction industry.

Springfield– In an effort to combat a tactic that allows businesses to receive incentives from the government without public knowledge, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a bill to prevent the state or any local unit of government from entering into a contract that would include a non-disclosure agreement in economic deals.

“Eliminating non-disclosure agreements will help bring vital transparency and accountability and ensure that local communities have a say in local development,” Peters said. “This is not just a Chicago or Illinois problem, but also a nationwide issue where we frequently see companies making deals they wish to keep out of the public eye.”

Chicago – More communities are a step closer to addressing the problem of firearm violence related crimes after State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) measure to bring gun violence prevention training and services to more areas was signed into law.

“The recent rise in gun violence will not be addressed until we change the policies that disproportionately have a negative impact on Black and Brown communities,” Peters said. “Soon, we will be able to work hand-in-hand with affected communities, intervening with at risk youth, supporting survivors and working from the bottom-up rather than the top-down. People in Illinois deserve public safety for all, not theater.”

SPRINGFIELD – More communities would be able to address the problem of gun violence under State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) measure to expand the number of communities that are eligible for gun violence prevention grant money and to make it easier to receive technical and training services under the Reimagine Public Safety Act.

“We should address the problem of gun violence in Illinois by supporting affected communities directly, not punish them,” Peters said. “True public safety belongs to the people, and it demands that we address the underlying causes of violence at the grassroots level.”

SPRINGFIELD – More communities would be able to address the problem of gun violence under State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) measure to expand the number of communities that are eligible for gun violence prevention grant money and to make it easier to receive technical and training services under the Reimagine Public Safety Act.

“We should address the problem of gun violence in Illinois by supporting affected communities directly, not punish them,” Peters said. “True public safety belongs to the people, and it demands that we address the underlying causes of violence at the grassroots level.”

House Bill 2791 would increase the number of communities that can receive grant money for gun violence prevention, based on population size, under the recently enacted Reimagine Public Safety Act. The legislation would also allow for five more communities to be eligible statewide and would allow organizations to apply directly for training and technical assistance from contractors.