CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters, an advocate of workforce training programs, expressed his support Thursday after the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology announced the launch of their paid trainee program designed to build a diversified pipeline of tech talent to address the increasing need for professionals in the tech industry.

“Paid workforce training is invaluable for so many residents here in the city,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “When trainee programs are paid, they support workforce equity and diversity initiatives giving disinvested communities opportunities they haven’t had before.”

Trainees will receive a minimum yearly salary of $54,000 from DoIT while pursuing tracks in one of five high-need concentration areas: cybersecurity, networking, coding and database, end user computing and enterprise infrastructure. Additional tracks will be added as the program grows. Trainees will also receive formal mentoring from current DoIT employees and be offered a full-time job with DoIT after completing the program and meeting its benchmarks.

Cohorts will begin with initial classes of 20 participants, with additional cohorts launching as needed. DoIT will partner with City Colleges of Chicago to provide a Chicago-based training site. Applicants should apply online at DoIT.illinois.gov or plan to attend the recruitment event on Friday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City College’s Harold Washington campus in Chicago.

“This expansion of tech training opportunities will help grow our economy meeting the increasing demand for skilled tech professionals,” said Peters. “I look forward to seeing the reach and fruits of this program.”

For additional information on the trainee program, applicant criteria, and upcoming hiring events, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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CHICAGO – Illinois will officially become the first state in the United States to end the use of cash bail on Monday, thanks to collaboration between Senator Peters, crime victim advocates, domestic violence groups, state’s attorneys and law enforcement.

“The struggle for changing our current criminal justice system into a system that prioritizes public safety over wealth has been a long and hard-fought battle, but now that we are on the other side, our focus is on ensuring effective implementation,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “We all have a responsibility to keep our ear to the ground and ensure people are not incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to pay their way out.”

The official end of cash bail — also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, which is contained within the SAFE-T Act — comes two months after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the pretrial reform is constitutional in Illinois. Starting Sept. 18, individuals under a cash bail order will be granted a release hearing.

“Following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling, there have been attempts to spread misinformation. “This is our modern day civil rights fight. The misinformation around the Pretrial Fairness act hasn’t been seen since the rollout of Obamacare,” said Peters. “I encourage those who sought to undermine this law to focus on participating in good-faith discussions to help us protect the rights of all Illinoisans, instead of attempting to weaken the rights of individuals in marginalized communities.”

Read more about the SAFE-T Act here.

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to false narratives spread by McLean County State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds in Bloomington-Normal based radio station, WGLT:

“Unlike the old system of cash bond, the Pretrial Fairness Act focuses on the immediate threat to others instead of cost when determining release. The transformational law preserves protections for crime survivors to ensure the very people who harmed them can’t do it again solely because they can afford to pay for their freedom.

“The Pretrial Fairness Act was the result of hours of testimony and negotiations with domestic violence advocates, gender-based violence survivors, proponents of reform, law enforcement and states attorneys at the table working to create a pathway to a better and more equitable criminal legal system.

“I will not stop preserving the essence of this landmark for justice by fighting back against the fearmongering and misinformation.”

CHICAGO – With support from State Senator Robert Peters, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“The pandemic hit restaurants and other businesses tremendously hard over these last few years,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “With grants like the Back to Business grant program, small family-owned shops can continue to thrive and hold their communities together.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest-hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Fourteen restaurants in Peters’ district will receive a combined total of $515,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“Local restaurants are at the core of communities across the 13^th District,” said Peters. “This program has allowed many restaurants to continue their operations and recover from the financial impact of recent years.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website.