CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters’ measures to make record expungement a smoother process for individuals and the court systems were signed into law this month.

“The current process for expunging records can be complex, especially for young people,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “These new laws put rehabilitation and reintegration at the core of our court proceedings, emphasizing positive change and growth for all criminal justice-involved individuals.”

Peters’ new law, Senate Bill 3463, streamlines the expungement process by scheduling juvenile court record expungements alongside initial court decisions, reducing the need for multiple court appearances. Further, under Senate Bill 2626, defendants in diversion programs can apply for expungement 61 days before their case is expected to be dismissed instead of waiting until afterward.

SPRINGFIELD — More survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence will be aware of their rights and resources thanks to two laws from State Senator Robert Peters.

"Survivors deserve trust in our justice system and the ability to seek safety from abusive situations, and these laws offer that empowerment," said Peters (D-Chicago). "It's crucial to ensure individuals have the resources to seek support and factor in their experiences when crafting legislation."

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters’ legislation to expand assistance under the Crime Victims Compensation Program was signed into law on Friday.

“Exposure to traumatic events can have lasting impacts on an individual’s well-being,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “It is important for our laws to acknowledge all those who should be considered under this program and to take into account the diverse range of experiences and challenges someone may face.”

The losses suffered by victims of crime are diverse and can extend beyond the immediate incident, resulting in financial losses, disruptions to daily routines and employment, and other long-term physical and emotional consequences affecting an individual’s quality of life.

SPRINGFIELD — For the first time in nearly 75 years, Illinois will see strengthened protections for youth in the workforce thanks to State Senator Robert Peters.

“Young people in the current workforce encounter challenges unique to their generation,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “These updates to our child labor laws are needed to safeguard their rights and well-being, ensuring our youngest residents have a healthy balance between their work responsibilities, schooling, extracurricular activities and personal lives.”

With support from the AFL-CIO and the Illinois Department of Labor, Peters spearheaded the overhaul of the Illinois Child Labor Law to provide more protections for youth in the workforce by addressing working conditions, age requirements and sectors prone to exploitation.

The new law extends protections to kids not enrolled in a traditional public or private school, requiring they end work by 7 p.m. on school nights. It also adds new positions to the list of prohibited jobs for minors and jobs requiring adult supervision, such as in cannabis shops and adult facilities, and imposes increased penalties for violations.

The law further addresses children who work as influencers online, specifically in vlogs, requiring any child under 16 who appears in online vlogs to be compensated based on the number of views a video receives and how many minutes they appear in the video.