Peters applauds $515,000 in local Back to Business grants

CHICAGO – With support from State Senator Robert Peters, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“The pandemic hit restaurants and other businesses tremendously hard over these last few years,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “With grants like the Back to Business grant program, small family-owned shops can continue to thrive and hold their communities together.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest-hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Fourteen restaurants in Peters’ district will receive a combined total of $515,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“Local restaurants are at the core of communities across the 13^th District,” said Peters. “This program has allowed many restaurants to continue their operations and recover from the financial impact of recent years.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website.

State to track racial makeup of applicants denied licensure, thanks to Peters

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters’ measure establishing an annual report on the racial and ethnic makeup of applicants denied licensure by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional regulation was signed into law Friday.

“Appropriate licensure of businesses is an important stepping stone that allows businesses operate,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “We want businesses to thrive in Illinois. To make sure this is happening, we need our ears to the ground at every level to make sure we are doing everything we can to remove bias in the licensing process.”

Peters’ new law will require the Department to request and report information regarding applicants’ ethnicity, race, sex and disability. By March 1 each year, IDFPR is now required to publish a report with the demographic information it collected, the number of applications for licensure and renewal, and the number of applicants denied licensure in the preceding calendar year.

Under previous law, IDFPR was not required to collect this type of data in licensure applications.

“There comes a time when every information system, no matter how big or small, needs to be updated,” Peters said. “The system update required by this new law will shed light on areas that may need further action, such as a pattern in licensing application denials.”

House Bill 1612 was signed into law Friday.

New Peters law ends criminal background disclosure on certain licensing applications

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the humanity of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, State Senator Robert Peters championed a new law that will end the requirement of disclosing criminal background information in certain license applications.

“There’s no need to disclose criminal background information when it can’t be used against an applicant for licensure,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Once individuals impacted by the justice system disclose this information, they often face discrimination despite rectifying their mistakes.”

Under previous law, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation would consider mitigating factors and evidence of rehabilitation contained in an applicant's record after finding that the applicant for a license, certificate, or registration was previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.

Peters’ law forbids inquiry into criminal history by IDFPR if the licensing statute states that criminal history cannot be used against an applicant. With this new prohibition, IDFPR would only need to perform a mitigating factor analysis in limited circumstances.

“One of the goals of the justice system is to rehabilitate individuals, not blacklist them once they are released from detention centers,” Peters said. “Second chances are given endlessly to those without justice system involvement. This same opportunity should be extended to everyone seeking to improve their lives and the community around them without judgement.”

House Bill 2826 was signed into law Friday.

New Peters law allows previously incarcerated individuals more employment opportunities

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters spearheaded a new law helping those previously convicted of a felony seek an occupational license to perform non-gaming related services at a casino.

“Individuals impacted by the justice system often have a hard time seeking worthwhile employment opportunities when transitioning back into society,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “These individuals have served their time and should be able to move on with their lives. There are many non-gaming jobs within casinos, such as hospitality related positions. Connecting this vulnerable community with these good paying union jobs, will empower folks to become financially secure and stimulate the growth of safe communities.”

Senate Bill 1462 removes a prohibition on issuing occupational licenses to perform functions in a casino that do not involve gaming to individuals with felony convictions. The law also allows the Illinois Gaming Board to consider an applicant’s criminal record, reputation, associations and activities that could potentially threaten the integrity of the gaming institution.

“Instead of thinking about this as simplifying the application process, this new law should be viewed as a way to increase public safety,” said Peters. “People that make a good living are less likely to do something to sabotage their success.”

Senate Bill 1462 was signed into law Friday.