CHICAGO – On Tuesday afternoon, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) chaired the first Senate Public Safety Committee Hearing of the 102^nd General Assembly to share updates on public safety and dispel rumors on carjacking in an effort to ease residents’ fears about the increase of crime in the city.

 “With the increase in carjackings around the city, I wanted to make sure that the uprise of cases was discussed so the public could be properly informed,” Peters said. “I also thought it would be best to hear from criminal justice experts on the root causes of crime, so we as legislators can learn the best methods to increase safety in our communities.”

CHICAGO – After working hard to pass monumental legislation that begins to break down systemic racism as part of the Black Caucus agenda, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) vows to continue that fight in his new role as Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee.

“The criminal justice reform package we passed earlier this month went a long way toward securing real safety and justice for our communities, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Peters said. “The package did not remove systemic racism; it still exists and affects communities of color every minute of every day. As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I pledge to continue the fight and deliver a future where everyone in our state can be made whole.”

CHICAGO – Last month, the Illinois Department of Public Health released its plans for COVID-19 vaccination rollouts in 2021. State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) and State Representative Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in support of the classification of inmates and prison staff into a higher priority category:

“COVID-19 has been tearing through Illinois prisons virtually unchecked, which puts the people incarcerated within them, as well as the support staffs who keep them running, at a much greater risk of contracting the disease. Prison conditions do not always afford the opportunity to socially distance, so providing vaccines for these individuals is likely the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“No one deserves to be at a higher risk of contracting a life-threatening disease simply because of their station in life or because of where they work. Ensuring the quick and efficient distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to prison populations and staffs is the moral thing to do, and we fully support IDPH’s plan to do so.”

The full version of IDPH’s vaccine plan can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) was sworn into his first full term in office today as the 102nd General Assembly officially began.

“This has been a trying year for many of us, so I do not take for granted the responsibility given to me by the people that I represent to look out for their best interests,” Peters said. “We are at a crossroads in our society, and I am confident that the 102nd General Assembly will be able to deliver real safety and justice to our communities and establish a world where everyone can be made whole.”

Peters joined the Senate in Jan. 2019, following the resignation of Sen. Kwame Raoul, who had been elected to serve as Attorney General the previous November.

The 102nd General Assembly serves until Jan. 11, 2023.