SPRINGFIELD – Youth under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services might soon have an easier time applying for financial aid if a measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) requiring the DCFS to assist youth-in-care with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid becomes law.

“If you’re a youth-in-care who is a senior in high school, you have to deal with the uncertainty of your imminent aging out of the system on top of the added stress of making decisions about college – including how it will be paid for,” Peters said. “This legislation is simply providing assistance in navigating the often confusing financial aid application process to kids in our state who could, quite frankly, use a break from things they have to worry about.”

SPRINGFIELD – Using a law he previously sponsored as a foundation, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is looking to expand civics education for re-entering citizens to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Many of the kids set to be released from IDJJ custody are doing so at a time in their lives when they’ll be legally recognized as adults for the first time, and a lot of new rights and privileges become available to them,” Peters said. “A person doesn’t lose access to those rights just because they were locked up, so it’s important to ensure that everyone knows what their rights are, how they can work to protect them, and the ways in which they can exercise them if they choose to do so.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a proposal sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that looks to preserve the integrity of restorative justice practices, which are sometimes used in place of traditional court proceedings.

“We rely on restorative justice as an alternative method of addressing crime, but in order to be effective, those practicing it need to be sure it’s a safe space,” Peters said. “If someone is afraid that something they say might come back to be used against them, they’re far less likely to take full advantage of the benefits that a restorative justice practice has to offer.”

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to combat a decades-long decrease in time set aside for physical activity in school, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure to require schools to provide students with daily time for play.

“Children have a right to play, period,” Peters said. “Physical activity is a crucial part of a child’s development, and since children spend most of their time at school, all schools should offer recess.”