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CHICAGO – With the holiday season fast approaching during a global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is encouraging residents to keep up with safe practices if and when they choose to celebrate.

“I know that the holiday season is a time that we all want to be with our family, friends and loved ones to celebrate everything that is important to us, and so it is important to remember that if you do choose to celebrate, you do so in a way that is safe in order to keep everyone healthy,” Peters said. “I know that it might seem difficult and that we’re all sick of Zoom, but a ‘Zoomsgiving’ is better than spending your Christmas in a hospital, or worse.”

Sen. Robert Peters speaks at a Pretrial Fairness Rally at the Captiol in February.

SPRINGFIELD – In the wake of months-long nationwide protests against police brutality and misconduct, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) took the first step toward reforming the criminal justice system last week by filing the Pretrial Fairness Act, which would end cash bail in Illinois.

“For many people, the definition of ‘criminal justice’ ends at the point of arrest, but it’s important to realize the true size of the entire system,” Peters said. “The reality is that the criminal justice system is large, wide reaching, and full of systemic injustice from top to bottom. The hope is that the Pretrial Fairness Act will be the first in a long series of reforms to reshape the system that has destroyed so many families.”

CHICAGO – In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it created, a second round of Business Interruption Grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have begun to be distributed. State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) expressed gratitude for the support given to local restaurants small businesses.

“This has been an unprecedented several few months in our world that has affected everyone, and local restaurants and small businesses have really stepped up to try to retain some sense of normalcy during all the uncertainty,” Peters said. “Many have done so at personal financial cost, which was only made worse by the economic downturn the COVID-19 pandemic brought about. That’s why I’m grateful to see such important local establishments getting a bit of a boost from the BIG grants, and I hope they will use that money to continue providing services and support to our community during these trying times.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement Wednesday after a Jefferson County Grand Jury failed to indict any of the police officers on charges of murder for the March killing of Breonna Taylor:

“Breonna Taylor should be alive right now. We keep seeing the same stories over and over again. It is exhausting and upsetting. 2020 has shown just how flawed our institutions are within a system stacked against us. Do not let anyone shut down the fight for a better world.”