Peters’ law ensures equal justice in public defense system
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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Peters led a new law creating the Office of the State Public Defender, an independent office under the state’s Judicial Branch – marking one of the most substantial reforms of Illinois’ public defense system since 1949.
“This law ensures we in Illinois are preserving residents’ constitutional right to counsel, regardless of their financial means, and contributing to a more just and equitable legal system,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “We have a duty to reduce disparities in our system – whether those are harsher sentences or wrongful convictions – and this law is a huge step in the right direction.”
A state public defender is a government-employed lawyer who provides legal representation to individuals accused or convicted of crimes who cannot afford to hire their own attorney. Public defender offices are one of three methods through which states and localities ensure defendants are granted the 6th and 14th Amendments right to counsel.
Peters to host U.K. Delegation on tour of innovation and community growth in Chicago’s South Side
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CHICAGO — In a showcase of international collaboration, State Senator Robert Peters will welcome U.K. Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson and British Consul General in Chicago Richard Hyde for a tour of Chicago’s South Side on Friday, Aug. 15.
“Today’s visit is an opportunity to acknowledge the real impact international partnerships have on local communities,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “The South Side represents the kind of neighborhoods where investments in science education, small business and tourism create noticeable benefits for our residents.”
The visit highlights growing ties between Illinois and the United Kingdom across tourism, innovations in science and economic development in small business and education. It also shines a light on the Chicago South Side’s growing status not just as a center of modernization, but an attraction for global visitors. Tourism and small businesses play vital roles in the South Side’s local economy, creating jobs and displaying the cultural wealth of Chicago – from ethnic restaurants to family parks.
Law led by Peters protects Illinois workers from federal rollbacks
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SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters ensures the state maintains strong protections for wage standards, coal mine safety and occupational health, even if federal laws are weakened or repealed.
“Our workers are the backbone of our state, and when things become uncertain at the federal level, it’s our job to ensure their rights are protected,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This law sends a clear message that in Illinois, we fight for working people, and we will not back down.”
The law prevents the Illinois Department of Labor and Department of Natural Resources from adopting any rules less protective than those in effect under federal law as of April 28, 2025. Peters’ law also requires IDOL to restore any repealed federal occupational safety rules not already covered under state law and allows legal actions against employers who violate them.
Peters responds to Washington’s bail reform myths, calls for honest leadership
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CHICAGO — In recent public remarks, the federal administration threatened to change statutes on cash bail in Illinois and Washington, D.C., accusing the SAFE-T Act and the end of cash bail of increasing crime rates in Chicago. To set the record straight on both the law and the facts, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement:
“Once again, the federal administration is spreading dangerous misinformation – this time falsely claiming the end of cash bail in Illinois has led to rising crime rates across the state, particularly in Chicago, and that murderers are being released the same day they commit a crime. This could not be further from the truth.
“Not only are these claims blatantly wrong, they are intentionally misleading in order to spread fear. The truth is very simple: Illinois now prioritizes public safety over wealth. Under our state’s criminal justice system reform, individuals are detained or released based on whether they pose a risk to the community or are likely to flee – not on whether they can afford to foot the bill. That means someone with money doesn’t get a free pass, and someone without it isn’t jailed simply because they’re poor.
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Dear Friends,
Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor to serve the citizens of the 13th Senate District in the Illinois General Assembly. On this website, you can learn a little bit about me, my record in the General Assembly, and the services I can provide you.
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Robert Peters
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