CHICAGO – Young adults in Department of Juvenile Justice custody will soon be able to receive civics education as they near their release under a new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“Generations of people have fought and died to secure our rights, and one of the cornerstones of our society is that someone who is in prison doesn’t lose those rights once they’re released,” Peters said. “Knowing what your rights are and how they can be used can be confusing, especially for kids in DJJ who have likely never exercised them before.”

CHICAGO – A form of intimidation sometimes used by law enforcement is no longer permitted in Illinois. State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), the sponsor of the law banning the practice, believes that the threat of a of background checks deters public participation for important hearings.

“Public safety belongs to the people, which means that the people should be able to share their opinion at public hearings and meetings,” Peters said. “This is especially true of police board meetings. Law enforcement using background checks to intimidate people from participating in the very hearings that will hold them accountable should set off red flags for everyone as something that should not be permitted to happen.”

CHICAGO – Illinois has become the ninth state to guarantee students with daily time for play due to a law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that was signed Friday.

“School can often be stressful, and a guaranteed playtime is an easy way to help reduce some of that stress for kids,” Peters said. “Unstructured play was a critical part of my development growing up, which is why I wanted to ensure all kids in Illinois had a right to it. It will help them stay healthy and keep their minds sharp.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is celebrating Friday’s signing of legislation he sponsored that would allow local school councils of Chicago Public Schools to fill vacancies in almost any situation.

“Parents, students and other members of the community have the right to have a say in how the schools in their area are run, and local school councils are how that right is realized,” Peters said. “If a small technical rule prevents them from being able to meet, then they need to have the recourse to fix that issue, and this law accomplishes this.”