New Peters law looks to reduce trauma for abused and neglected minors by expediting transfers

CHICAGO – A new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would speed up the process of intercounty transfer of child protection cases.

“The kids who are in this system are there because they’ve already experienced trauma through neglect or abuse,” Peters said. “They shouldn’t have to experience more as a result of being caught up in bureaucracy for weeks or months if they need to be transferred.”

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Series of new Peters laws focus on safety, justice for communities

Measures signed include ban on lying to kids during interrogations

CHICAGO – During a ceremony at a Northwestern University campus in Chicago, four public safety and criminal justice reform measures sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) were signed by Gov. JB Pritzker and became law.

The ceremony was a culmination of several years of hard work from Peters and advocates to reimagine what safety and justice look like in Illinois.

Senate Bill 2122 makes statements provided by a minor inadmissible in court if they were made after a law enforcement official intentionally lied during the interrogation. Deception is defined as “knowingly providing false information about evidence or leniency.”

“It is an unfortunately common practice for police officers to lie to kids in order to coerce them into saying what they want to hear,” Peters said. “These are stressful and frightening situations for many kids, and a lot of the time the statements aren’t truthful, but were still made because the kids thought it would get them out of the situation.”

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Peters: Elected school board is a testament to grassroots organizing

SPRINGFIELD – After the Illinois Senate voted on a historic measure to transition Chicago Public Schools to an elected school board, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“The legislation we passed today is a testament to the hard work done by grassroots organizations made up of parents, students, teachers and communities members, who have spent over a decade fighting for what is best for their communities.

“While I would have preferred a fully elected school board to be implemented immediately, this gradual transition is a step in the right direction. I look forward to the day when the school board truly represents the interests of the people it serves.”

Peters: Budget promotes equity and stability

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Senate voted to send the Fiscal Year 2022 budget to the governor:

“Over the past year, I’ve fought for many institutional changes that help combat systemic racism that holds Black and Brown folks down. This budget ensures that there is equity in how Illinois spends its money and that everyone in our state, regardless of ZIP code, is given the opportunity to live their best life.

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