CHICAGO – With the second round of Back to Business grants currently accepting applications, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is pleased to announce nearly $1 million in grants awarded to businesses in the area he represents.

“The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most difficult times in recent memory, and a lot of small businesses have been struggling to keep the lights on and the doors open,” Peters said. “The people of our community rely on so many of these businesses for their everyday needs, and I’m glad to see them get the support they need through these grants.”

Responds to Senate Republican law enforcement package

CHICAGO – In response to a Senate Republican press conference unveiling their agenda for combating violence and calling for $100 million for law enforcement agencies, State Senator Robert Peter (D-Chicago), Senate Black Caucus Chairman, issued the following statement:

“Make no mistake, we support expanding public safety for all and not just a few because it is our communities, our friends, and our loved ones who are often traumatized, but the answer doesn’t just come in the decades long status quo policies of more prison sentences. It comes in community investment and alternatives that for too long have simply not existed.”

“That’s the corner that we began to turn with the social justice reform initiatives in the Black Caucus Pillars and we welcome more of our colleagues in the Senate to this debate as we work to put an end to the violence in our communities and across this state.”

Monsters of the Midway Act sparks discussion of the role of public dollars financing sports franchises

CHICAGO – Nearly 20 years ago, the Bears were warned that their Soldier Field renovation plans were too small, too limited in use and downright ugly. The Bears dismissed those concerns and moved full speed ahead in their demand for more than a half billion dollars in public funding to redo the stadium according to their vision.

Now, they’re preparing to walk away from it and potentially move to suburban Arlington Heights. All the reasons for their move are the concerns brought up and rejected by the Bears 20 years ago.

“We need to have a serious discussion about the role of public dollars used to finance stadiums for multibillion dollar private professional sports enterprises,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), a lifelong Bears fan who represents the near South Side district that includes the football stadium and surrounding neighborhoods.

Soldier Field is owned by the Chicago Park District and has been the home stadium of the Chicago Bears since the team’s move from Wrigley Field in 1971. The field was remodeled in 2002 at the cost of $660 million, making the Bears the recipient of the then-largest single government contribution to a professional sports team in U.S. history. Last month’s Forbes valuation of the Chicago Bears franchise was just over $4 billion, making the team the seventh most valuable NFL franchise.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) praised the energy plan that passed the General Assembly Monday, saying it will help fight climate change and transition Illinois to a renewable energy economy that includes minority workers.

“I represent a district that borders Chicago’s lakefront, and we’re seeing the results of climate change now,” Peters said. “Changing water levels are causing increased erosion and endangering parks, businesses, and homes on Lake Michigan. But, those are just short-term effects – in the long term, we’re talking about making sure humans can still live on the planet.”

The legislation would establish a goal of 100% clean energy by 2050. It also would more than double the state’s budget for renewable energy and set a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2040. It would further set firm deadlines for fossil fuel-burning power plants to either close or repurpose to produce clean energy, and it would allow two new renewable energy transmission lines to be built.