SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) joined several Senate colleagues Friday voting in support of a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to unionize to Illinois workers.

“Labor rights are intertwined with race, class, and gender struggles, and we must always fight to preserve them,” Peters said. “Declaring a workers right to collective bargain as a fundamental right guaranteed to everyone who works in Illinois is a major step toward winning the real safety and justice in our communities that we’ve been fighting to secure for generations.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation unveiled its multi-year plan earlier this week, and State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is pleased to announce that it includes more than $75 million for local projects.

“Heavily trafficked roads and bridges are an extremely important area for our city that too often gets overlook, so it’s good to know that IDOT is making much needed improvements,” Peters said. “Some of the roads and bridges in the plan this year are in bad shape and have needed repairs for years.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that would help reduce recidivism rates is one step closer to becoming law.

“Incarcerated people who are coming out of the system need to be able to live their best lives, and that requires providing proper services and support,” Peters said. “Otherwise, they may face challenges that push them to the brink and risk further destabilization, which could result in them ending up back in prison.”

SPRINGFIELD – At a Tuesday hearing, the Senate Criminal Law Committee approved a measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that would limit the ability of law enforcement agencies to intimidate Illinois residents.

House Bill 1765 would prohibit law enforcement from conducting a background check on an individual solely because of their participation at an open, public meeting.

“Law enforcement shouldn’t be running background checks simply because someone is trying to participate in a public meeting,” Peters said. “This can be seen as a form of intimidation, especially when used for police board meetings. At a public hearing, any member of the public should be able to participate without having to fear repercussions.”