Chicago – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement … in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision:

"This decision is a threat to broader fights for justice everywhere. This is a gateway for the far right to start attacking so many important rights we have today. The Supreme Court’s extremist decision to strip people of their abortion rights is appalling and will not reduce abortions, but only further penalize working class communities especially working class Black and Brown communities.”

SPRINGFIELD - A measure supported by Senator Robert Peters to protect restaurants, bars and retailers from deceptive third-party practices was signed into law.

“Small businesses and especially Black and Brown owned businesses have suffered during the last two years,” said Peters (D- Chicago). “We have to ensure that restaurants and bars are able to support themselves and that outside delivery services do not take advantage of small businesses.”

The new law will prohibit third-party delivery services from listing non-partnered restaurants or retailers on their platform.  In addition, this law would prohibit a third-party delivery service from posting a menu, registered trademark or any intellectual property of a restaurant, bar or retail establishment without the express written consent of that business.

HB 3205 was signed into law Friday and will take effect January 1, 2023.

Springfield - A task force to investigate missing and murdered women in Chicago will be established after a measure supported by Senator Robert Peters was signed into law.

“For too long, the families of Black and Brown women have been left with no answers about the loss of their loved ones,” said Peters (D - Chicago). “Everyone, regardless of zip code, deserves justice, and every community deserves real public safety. This task force will help us provide justice for these families and provide guidance on how to address these cases.”

The new law creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, which will examine and report on the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.

Springfield - A measure to help medical professionals get more tests into the hands of individuals who battle opioid addiction was signed into law thanks to the efforts of State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“This reform will help save lives,” Peters said. “We still have a long way to go, but removing penalties organizations face when they have access to test strips is a responsible way to address the opioid crisis and to create real public safety for all instead of continuing the misguided policies of the past.”

Chicago- Piers and public access points to Lake Michigan will soon be safer thanks to a measure advanced by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that will help install essential rescue equipment was signed into law.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe when they head to the beach this summer,” Peters said. “I am glad that we are taking this long overdue step to protect our families who visit beaches on Lake Michigan.”

SPRINGFIELD - A measure to establish a plan for renewable recycling in Illinois, supported by Senator Robert Peters was signed into law.

“As we look to establish green energy sources, we also need to make sure we’re phasing out old technology in a safe and responsible manner,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Expanding renewable recycling in Illinois will both save taxpayers money and ensure that our new investments in clear energy such as solar panels do not become a hazard to the environment.”

Springfield- Youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services are one step closer to receiving the financial resources they need to be ready for adulthood thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Robert Peters.

“I’m pleased that we are taking this step to ensure that the state will be proactive at helping youth in care build a strong future during their final years of care,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “We need to do all we can to ensure that they have access to a financial head start before they have to live on their own.”

The new law, formerly known as SB 3470, will require DCFS to save or invest a minimum percentage of a youth's benefits once they reach the age of 14. This will ensure that when DCFS no longer serves as the financial representative of  the youth, they will have some money to help them transition into a successful adult life.

A measure giving crime survivors a new voice in public safety policy making spearheaded by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) was recently signed into law.

“I fundamentally believe that public safety must belong to the people,” Peters said. “This law will center crime survivors and put them at the center of the conversation without fear of repercussion.”

The new law will invest in community-centered public safety by creating a Crime Reduction Task Force to develop and propose ways to reduce crime across the state. The Crime Reduction Task Force will be made up of a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, alongside law enforcement, advocates, legal and criminal justice professionals and survivors of crime.

Under this new law, formerly known as HB 4736, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority will establish a grant program open to organizations and units of local government to assist in the creation of anonymous tip hotlines or other systems to crime victims and witnesses. Additionally, this measure makes improvements to the state’s existing witness protection, which requires the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to create a program to assist victims and witnesses who are actively aiding in the prosecution of perpetrators of certain crimes. The measure would also establish a co-responder pilot program.

“Everyone in every zip code should feel comfortable being able to walk down the street,” Peters said. “No matter where you are, who you are or where you live you should deserve to feel comfortable and safe. This measure does that by expanding witness protection and by incorporating the voices and needs of stakeholders and survivors.”

The measure was signed into law Tuesday and takes effect immediately.