Peters spearheads measure supporting victims’ access to justice

SPRINGFIELD — To address safety gaps and prioritize continuous protection for victims in Illinois’ justice system, State Senator Robert Peters is spearheading a measure to secure petitioning eligibility for restraining orders during criminal proceedings.

“Victims of abuse deserve to feel safe, dignified and protected from their abusers through every step of the formal legal process,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “By allowing victims to petition for an order of protection during criminal proceedings, we can minimize victims’ trauma and stress by providing immediate safety from further harm or harassment.”

Peters’ measure would build on the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, which currently prohibits orders of protection from being denied solely based on the incarceration status of either the petitioner or the respondent, ensuring the logistical timing of incarceration does not outweigh victims’ access to legal protections.

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Peters reacts to Pretrial Fairness Act misinformation

SPRINGFIELD — After a man with a pending warrant was accused of fatally shooting Chicago police officer John Bartholomew and wounding his partner, a press conference was held Thursday to spread misinformation about the effectiveness of the Pretrial Fairness Act. In response, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), sponsor of the Pretrial Fairness Act, released the following statement:

“The passing of Officer Bartholomew is nothing short of horrific, and my sincere condolences are extended to his loved ones, friends and Chicago police colleagues. However, once again, people are choosing to fuel fear by spreading misinformation and exploiting tragedy rather than working together to prioritize public safety for Illinoisans.

“The Pretrial Fairness Act has had a direct impact on reducing crime across the state, leading to notable drops in violent and property crimes. To argue any different is a flat-out lie. Since taking effect, the law has resulted in a decrease in robberies, shootings and murders in Chicago, bringing the city’s crime rate to historic lows not seen since the 1960s. Similarly, last year, East St. Louis experienced its lowest homicide rate in 45 years, and homicides in Peoria decreased 61%.

“Since before the act became law, we have heard the same misinformed rhetoric being used to sway public opinion: judges don’t have enough discretion to detain individuals under the PFA. This could not be farther from the truth, and, in fact, judges now receive more information and spend more time on pretrial release decisions. A return to Illinois’ money bond would be a return to a period of higher crime, and we refuse to walk away from the progress that has allowed Black and Brown communities to experience true due process.

“If people spreading this rhetoric cared about public safety, they wouldn’t turn to fear mongering and lies about the PFA. If they truly cared about public safety, they would join us in our fight for increased gun control, adequate mental health treatment, access to substance abuse amenities and funding for all social services, for all Illinoisans.”  

Peters, coalitions to outline proposal empowering youth to participate in democracy

CHICAGO — State Senator Robert Peters will host a press conference Saturday in support of House Bill 4339 – the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Act – in collaboration with State Representative Kimberly Neely DuBuclet, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Coalition on Saturday at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters in Chicago. 

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Act would expand access to civic participation by ensuring eligible young people are meaningfully presented with the opportunity to register to vote through trusted educational settings. The legislation is focused on strengthening democracy by removing unnecessary barriers to participation, and, by meeting students where they are, would help establish lifelong civic habits and ensure the next generation is fully prepared to participate in shaping our shared future.

WHO: State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), State Representative Kimberly Neely DuBuclet (D-Chicago), Rainbow PUSH Coalition President and CEO Yusef Jackson, Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Coalition Chairperson Dr. Jo Ann Roberts, PhD., coalition advocates and community leaders.

WHAT: Press conference in support of a measure to empower young people to meaningfully participate in democracy.

WHEN: Saturday, April 18 at 11:15 a.m.

WHERE: Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters, 930 E. 50th St., Chicago

Peters presents plans to protect Illinois consumers from surveillance-based pricing

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Peters outlined a plan he’s spearheading that would ban companies from collecting personal data from Illinois consumers for the purpose of price discrimination during a subject matter hearing Wednesday.

“The Surveillance-Based Price Discrimination Act is commonsense legislation that would protect all of our state’s consumers from price gouging and data privacy threats,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Our residents have already endured years of inflation, and now we are facing an affordability crisis while some of the biggest corporations rake in record profits. We cannot sit back and watch the unjust targeting of the finances, privacy and equality of Illinoisans.”

Surveillance pricing includes the use of personal information such as browsing history or behavioral patterns, and companies typically collect and analyze the data using AI and algorithms to charge personal prices for customers. Peters’ measure , Senate Bill 2255, aims to limit the use of surveillance data in the state, preventing companies from prioritizing maximum profits at the expense of individuals’ privacy and dignity.

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