SPRINGFIELD — Across Illinois, workers are showing up, doing the job and still being paid less – simply because they are a woman or a person of color. A measure from State Senator Robert Peters looks to change that by holding businesses accountable and making sure workers are paid what they are owed.

“People are tired of being shortchanged – especially women and people of color,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This bill ensures companies can’t hide behind loopholes or changing federal rules to avoid treating workers fairly.”

House Bill 2488 strengthens two of Illinois’ most important worker protection laws: the Equal Pay Act and the Prevailing Wage Act. Under current law, only certain businesses have to report whether they pay workers fairly based on gender and race. Under Peters’ bill, all businesses covered by state law would have to submit a clear statement to the Department of Labor, showing they are not underpaying women or people of color doing the same jobs as others.

CHICAGO — On Wednesday night, two Israeli Embassy aides were fatally shot in Washington, D.C. In response, State Senator Robert Peters released the following statement:

“Last night’s murder of Israeli Embassy staff outside the Capital Jewish Museum was a horrifying act of antisemitic terror. My deepest condolences are with victims’ loved ones and the American Jewish Committee community.

“Antisemitism is vile and dangerous. We must fight it wherever it festers.”

SPRINGFIELD — Seeking to reinforce the supportive role of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Robert Peters advanced legislation aiming to remove the agency’s authority to operate its own law enforcement agency.

“DCFS should be a source of help for families in need, not a force of intimidation,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This bill would create a necessary boundary to ensure families in crisis are met with care, not criminalization.”

Peters’ measure would remove the department’s statutory authority to appoint personnel to act as peace officers in counties with more than 500,000 people. Instead, it would reaffirm that any law enforcement needs involving DCFS would be handled by local or state police.

SPRINGFIELD — A measure from State Senator Robert Peters that would ensure the state maintains strong protections for wage standards, coal mine safety and occupational health, even if federal laws are weakened or repealed, is one step closer to becoming law.

“Illinois workers shouldn’t have to fear that their rights will disappear with the next change in Washington,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This bill ensures no matter what happens at the federal level, Illinois will remain firm in protecting its workers.”

The measure would prevent 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’ bill would also require IDOL to restore any repealed federal occupational safety rules not already covered under state law and would allow legal actions against employers who violate them.