SPRINGFIELD – As part of his continued fight to win and preserve safety and justice, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) moved a proposal to strengthen alternative mental health and substance abuse crisis responses through the Senate Friday.

“A mental health or substance abuse crisis requires a specific, dedicated response that only trained professionals are adequately equipped provide,” Peters said. “Many police officers lack this training and are forced to respond to situations they’re not prepared to handle, which can often make the situation worse. We need to strengthen alternative response methods so that people who are suffering crises are able to get the right kind of help.”

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal to make Illinois the ninth state to mandate a minimum amount of time for play each day for students is one step closer to becoming law after the Illinois Senate approved it Thursday.

“Unstructured play is a critical part of a child’s development,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), the legislation’s sponsor. “I know this from experience, since it played a key role in my upbringing. When you add in the benefit that physical activity provides to growing children, it’s easy to see why guaranteeing time for play is something we need to do.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) allowing state’s attorneys to petition for sentence reductions passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday.

“There are several factors that go in to determining a sentence for a crime, but in time, some or all of those factors could change,” Peters said. “Giving state’s attorneys the ability to ask a court to reduce sentences will ensure that people aren’t locked up for longer than they should be.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is leading an effort to speed up the process when abused and neglected minors are moved between counties during the process of finding a suitable guardian.

“The kids we’re talking about here have already experienced abuse or neglect, or they’re otherwise dependent on the social services our state provides,” Peters said. “They shouldn’t get caught up in the court bureaucracy when they need to move between counties.”