CHICAGO — In a showcase of international collaboration, State Senator Robert Peters will welcome U.K. Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson and British Consul General in Chicago Richard Hyde for a tour of Chicago’s South Side on Friday, Aug. 15.

“Today’s visit is an opportunity to acknowledge the real impact international partnerships have on local communities,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “The South Side represents the kind of neighborhoods where investments in science education, small business and tourism create noticeable benefits for our residents.”

The visit highlights growing ties between Illinois and the United Kingdom across tourism, innovations in science and economic development in small business and education. It also shines a light on the Chicago South Side’s growing status not just as a center of modernization, but an attraction for global visitors. Tourism and small businesses play vital roles in the South Side’s local economy, creating jobs and displaying the cultural wealth of Chicago – from ethnic restaurants to family parks.

SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters ensures the state maintains strong protections for wage standards, coal mine safety and occupational health, even if federal laws are weakened or repealed.

“Our workers are the backbone of our state, and when things become uncertain at the federal level, it’s our job to ensure their rights are protected,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This law sends a clear message that in Illinois, we fight for working people, and we will not back down.” 

The law prevents the Illinois Department of Labor and Department of Natural Resources from adopting any rules less protective than those in effect under federal law as of April 28, 2025. Peters’ law also requires IDOL to restore any repealed federal occupational safety rules not already covered under state law and allows legal actions against employers who violate them.

CHICAGO — In recent public remarks, the federal administration threatened to change statutes on cash bail in Illinois and Washington, D.C., accusing the SAFE-T Act and the end of cash bail of increasing crime rates in Chicago. To set the record straight on both the law and the facts, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Once again, the federal administration is spreading dangerous misinformation – this time falsely claiming the end of cash bail in Illinois has led to rising crime rates across the state, particularly in Chicago, and that murderers are being released the same day they commit a crime. This could not be further from the truth.

“Not only are these claims blatantly wrong, they are intentionally misleading in order to spread fear. The truth is very simple: Illinois now prioritizes public safety over wealth. Under our state’s criminal justice system reform, individuals are detained or released based on whether they pose a risk to the community or are likely to flee – not on whether they can afford to foot the bill. That means someone with money doesn’t get a free pass, and someone without it isn’t jailed simply because they’re poor.

SPRINGFIELD — Saving for retirement will become easier and more flexible for thousands of Illinois workers, thanks to a new law from State Senator Robert Peters that expands access to portable, customizable savings options. 

“Our residents deserve retirement savings options that offer them greater flexibility and control while still prioritizing their financial security,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This law does just that – empowering people to tailor their financial planning, addressing financial vulnerability and promoting equity in retirement savings.”

In 2015, the state created the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program to address the growing gap in retirement savings for Illinois workers. Nearly 40% of private sector workers in Illinois do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, leaving many with no way to save for the future. Since its inception, the program has helped over 150,000 participants save more than $200 million for retirement, with more than 25,000 employers offering the program to their workers. 

Peters’ law expands these efforts, as it gives workers more options for retirement savings. By allowing workers to hold both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, the law offers more flexibility and personalized savings strategies. The law also makes the program more portable, meaning workers can continue contributing to their retirement savings even if they change jobs, without losing track of their funds.

“Financial security during retirement shouldn’t be based on if your employer offers a plan or allows a previous plan to transfer over,” said Peters. “We’re giving residents the support they need to take charge of their financial planning and ensuring employers do their part in closing the financial security gap.”

Senate Bill 1441 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.