Peters condemns militarized immigration raid at South Shore Drive apartment building; ransacking residents’ homes and violating their rights

CHICAGO — Early in the morning of Oct. 1, while residents across Chicago slept, federal agents employed by Border Patrol, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives raided a South Shore Chicago apartment building located at 7500 S. Shore Drive – arresting 37 people and unconstitutionally detaining American citizens who live in the building for hours. After conducting an onsite press conference with local community organizations the day of the raid, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) further released the following statement in response:

“The raid in South Shore represents a dangerous escalation from this federal administration to use our Black and Brown communities as military training grounds in their terror-based campaign.”

“These militarized raids are traumatic experiences that shatter the lives of families, instill fear in our children and shred the very foundation of our constitutional rights. We are talking about everyday working people – grandparents, parents and children – who will live with the trauma of this brutality for the rest of their lives. These are our neighbors, our colleagues and our friends who had the doors ripped off their homes, their personal possessions stolen and their rights violated.”

“The answer to public safety isn’t doubling down on harmful militarized stunts that violate our residents’ constitutional rights and sense of safety in their own homes. Public safety is investing in the people in our communities – in our health care, in our education and in our workforce. 

“I stand with my South Side neighbors who demand answers, accountability and respect from this federal administration. The time to act is now, and we demand an end to inhumane, authoritarian attacks on our residents. This goes beyond being a fight for justice – this is a fight to preserve our humanity and our solidarity in the face of such brutality.”

Peters applauds $108 million infrastructure investment

CHICAGO — State Senator Robert Peters secured $108 million to build and repair infrastructure in Chicago’s lakefront neighborhoods.

“These infrastructure projects will directly benefit our state’s economy, creating jobs in construction, manufacturing and skilled trades,” said Peters (D-Chicago), chair of the Illinois Senate Labor Committee. “When our residents have access to good-paying jobs, we foster prosperity in our neighborhoods – providing paths to wealth-building, improving public health and creating a more resilient economy where everyone can thrive.”

The largest multi-year program to build and repair infrastructure in state history will invest $50.6 billion over six years, continuing an unprecedented investment in safety, mobility and quality of life made possible by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. IDOT’s new multi-year program is both comprehensive and multimodal, with investments in roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations touching every Illinois county.

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Peters’ law ensures stronger protections for patients, smarter penalties for nurse agencies

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois patients and health care workers will see a fairer, more effective oversight system for nurse agencies, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters. 

“Patients and nurse agencies alike need to be protected,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “By allowing proportional penalties for violations of the Nursing Agency Licensing Act, we’re helping agencies avoid excessive fines for minor infractions – supporting their operations while ensuring better patient care.” 

The Nursing Agency Licensing Act sets guidelines to ensure nurse agencies meet certain operational standards and holds them responsible for the actions of the nurses they dispatch to health care facilities. Currently, Illinois law imposes a flat $10,000 fine for every violation of NALA, only targeting licensees or applicants. These guidelines do not account for the severity of the violation, meaning minor mistakes can result in the same financial punishment as more serious issues.

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Law led by Peters supports victims of abuse

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois survivors of abuse and assault will now see a fairer justice system, thanks to a new law from State Senator Robert Peters.

“Victims of abuse should never feel like they’re being silenced when they find the courage to tell their story – especially by the people who are explicitly meant to protect us,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This law makes it clear our justice system will give victims the dignity, respect and support they deserve after enduring unimaginable trauma.”

Peters’ law defends victims of domestic abuse, reinforcing their right to be heard. Under the law, law enforcement are prohibited from discouraging or attempting to discourage a victim of abuse, neglect, exploitation or sexual assault from filing a police report – holding police accountable and allowing victims to seek justice without fear of being silenced.

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