CHICAGO – Earlier this week, the US Supreme Court lifted a stay of execution of federal prisoners, leading the way for the state of Indiana to conduct the first federal use of capital punishment in 17 years. In response, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who has long been an advocate for prison and criminal justice reform, issued the following statement:

“In a time when hundreds of thousands of people are dying from a viral pandemic, we should be looking to lower the number of deaths, not unnecessarily add to them. Even if we ignore the fact that many prisoners who are executed are innocent, executing people for crimes is extremely inhumane and barbaric and it has no place in modern society. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow it is shameful. It should not only be reversed, but the death penalty should be fully abolished at the federal level.”

CHICAGO – As communities continue to recover from the ongoing novel coronavirus crisis, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is encouraging organizations specializing in relief efforts like housing assistance and mental health support to apply for a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

“In many ways, COVID-19 has hit Black and Brown communities much harder than other communities,” Peters said. “The ICJIA grants will help organizations that are providing support in these communities and make it easier for them to do the job they’ve set out to do.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is applauding an expansion to the state’s vote-by-mail program becoming law after Gov. JB Pritzker signed it Tuesday.

“Since everyone deserves the right to be healthy, it’s critical that we figure out a way to help people stay healthy while they exercise their right to participate in the democratic process,” Peters said. “Voting by mail is a safe, convenient way for folks to have their voices heard without having to worry about contracting COVID-19.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 state budget into law Wednesday:

“When we passed the budget, we included funding for many important services for those who are struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. At the time, we didn’t know that we were only a few weeks away from widespread protests against systemic inequality and a global fight for justice. While this budget doesn’t directly address any of the issues that demonstrators are protesting against, it does provide support to the vulnerable people that many are marching in support of. It boosts funding for mental health and substance abuse programs and provides nearly $400 million in rent and mortgage payment relief, as well as offering many other different types of assistance to the families that need it the most.”