SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), Senate chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, issued the following statement in response to hateful, racist text messages targeting Black Americans in Illinois:

“The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is deeply alarmed by the recent reports of racist text messages targeting Black Americans in Illinois and across the nation. These messages, part of a disturbing and growing nationwide trend, are a direct attack on the dignity and humanity of Black people and all marginalized communities. We stand in solidarity with those affected.

“We are particularly concerned about the impact on young people — students who should be able to thrive in educational settings without the threat of racial harassment. Racism, in any form, has no place in Illinois or anywhere else in the United States. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, can live, learn and work in environments free from fear and intimidation. We will continue to advocate for policies that protect all Illinoisans from discrimination, hate and violence, working toward a future where everyone can live and grow without fear.”

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus strongly urges anyone who has received these messages to report them to local law enforcement and the Attorney General's office through the Help Stop Hate Helpline at 877-458-4283.

CHICAGO — State Senator Robert Peters recently announced that a total of $70,500 has been granted to Family Legacy Foundation’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Program.

“Promoting basic literacy skills is one of the most powerful ways we can uplift our community and prepare residents for success,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This grant will directly impact those who need these resources most, providing them with the skills they need to thrive.”

The grants were awarded by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, who has awarded nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million for literacy programs throughout the state.

SPRINGFIELD — To foster inclusivity and effectiveness, State Senator Robert Peters’ legislation expanding representation and funding flexibility within the Adult Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board was signed into law.

"The Adult Redeploy Illinois program will now be able to better address those they seek to serve," said Peters (D-Chicago). "This new law expands representation to those with firsthand experience in the ARI system to ensure the voices who the ARI board seeks to impact are heard.”

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.