SPRINGFIELD – Youths who have experienced the deficiencies of the Department of Children and Family Services firsthand would be given a voice under a new measure proposed by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

Senate Bill 1743 requires DCFS to develop, process, and administer a standardized survey to gather feedback from youth who are currently aging out or who have recently aged out of the foster care system.

“If we want to improve DCFS, we need to listen to the people who live in it every day,” Peters said. “These surveys will push DCFS to face up to its deficiencies so that they can be remedied, which will allow the Department to provide the quality care the youth under its service require.”

The bill requires the surveys to be processed once every five years. It passed the Senate Committee on Human Services by a vote of 10 – 0 and will now receive consideration from the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new bill sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), eligible youth will be provided a stipend to cover the costs associated with entering an apprenticeship.

“Many apprenticeships have a high cost of entry, which can create burdens for youth who can’t afford these costs, or even outright prevent youths from entering the programs,” Peters said. “If we can help ease the burden for the youth of our state, we can help them set themselves up on a path towards more successful and fulfilling lives.”

Senate Bill 1525 would require the Department of Children and Family Services to provide the stipend to youth who are currently a responsibility of DCFS, who aged out of care upon reaching the age of 18, or who were formerly in DCFS and were adopted or placed in guardianship. The stipend would cover the up-front costs of entering an apprenticeship, including fees, tuition, work clothes, rain gear, boot and tools that are specific to the occupation.

The measure would also require DCFS to develop outreach programs in order to make those eligible for the program aware of it. It passed through the Senate Committee on Human Services by a vote of 10 – 0 and moves to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to protect the rights of working class people across the state of Illinois, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) voted favorably on a bill that would ban right-to-work zones throughout Illinois.

“Unions are crucial to safeguarding the well-being of workers and working class people,” Peters said. “Any attempt to deny workers the right to unionize or collectively bargain should be prevented.”

Senate Bill 1474 creates the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act, which permits employers and labor organizations to negotiate agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment. The legislation would also prohibit local laws or regulations that create “right-to-work zones” or disallow union requirements.

“The term ‘right to work’ is misleading,” Peters said. “The name implies that it is beneficial to workers, but it is actually harmful since it allows employers to prevent the formation of unions that protect the rights and interests of the workers who are a part of them.”

Peters was also a chief-co sponsor of the bill, which passed the Senate and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – After viewing Gov. JB Pritzker’s 2019 Budget Address, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“The previous four years have conditioned me to automatically dislike the annual Budget Address, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear that Gov. Pritzker’s vision for the future of the state is one that is beneficial to all of the people who live here.

“I’d like to congratulate the governor for what I believe to be some very important and advantageous promises that he made in his speech. I’m glad he vows to increase investment in early childhood and K-12 education, because delivering folks a good, fulfilling life has to start young.

“I’m glad he vows to invest in social services like the CCAP program and disability services, because supporting those who need it throughout their entire lives is one of the most crucial functions of government.

“I’m glad he vows to invest in criminal justice efforts and violence prevention programs, as well as move to legalize recreational marijuana. However, I do caution that any attempt to legalize marijuana must be paired with expungement legislation so that folks who are currently in prison for marijuana offenses have a path toward release once it becomes legalized.

“This is a very good foundation upon which we can build a brighter future for everyone in Illinois that will help bridge the income inequality gap that plagues our state.

“I recently read an article about the income inequality in Chicago, which is growing at an alarming and potentially unsustainable rate. This hit home for me, because that’s where I live. It’s where I grew up, it’s where the people I represent live.

“We can use this budget as a springboard to leap toward more progressive forms of revenue, particularly a fair, progressive income tax that shifts the burden off of the black and brown working class families and onto the wealthy people who can afford to pay their fair share.

“This is a very promising budget. It’s not fully where it needs to be just yet, but I’m confident that with enough hard work, the General Assembly can use this budget as a starting point towards a functional, stable government that works for everyone and leaves no one behind.”