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.

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strong protections for wage standards, coal mine safety and occupational health, even if federal laws are weakened or repealed.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 Peters’ law also requires IDOL to restore any repealed federal occupational safety rules not already covered under state law and allows legal actions against employers who violate them.

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.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is reshaping the way agencies respond to mental health crises and offer critical services to those in need, thanks to a law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters that ensures better coordination, training and accountability in the delivery of behavioral health services.

“We’re dedicated to improving mental health outcomes, reducing stigma and optimizing resource allocation for mental health services,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “We must prevent individuals from falling through the cracks, and we do that by equipping crisis responders with the skills to assess needs accurately and connect people with the appropriate care.”

Under Peters’ law, the implementation deadline of the Community Emergency Services and Support Act is extended until July 1, 2027, ensuring a more thorough and thoughtful rollout of critical services. The law comes at a time when mental health services are under increasing strain, with more people experiencing mental health crises and a heightened demand for accessible care.

In addition to providing a clear roadmap for CESSA implementation, the law permits new training for mobile mental health relief teams and an updated data collection structure, transforming how mental health emergencies are handled and offering a strong framework for individuals in crisis and the organizations that serve them.

“Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis need to be met with effective, appropriate, compassionate care,” said Peters. “This law ensures these emergencies are met with the professionalism needed for long-term improved outcomes.”

Senate Bill 2500 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect immediately.