CHICAGO – A form of intimidation sometimes used by law enforcement is no longer permitted in Illinois. State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), the sponsor of the law banning the practice, believes that the threat of a of background checks deters public participation for important hearings.

“Public safety belongs to the people, which means that the people should be able to share their opinion at public hearings and meetings,” Peters said. “This is especially true of police board meetings. Law enforcement using background checks to intimidate people from participating in the very hearings that will hold them accountable should set off red flags for everyone as something that should not be permitted to happen.”

Read more: Law enforcement intimidation tactics limited under new Peters law

CHICAGO – Illinois has become the ninth state to guarantee students with daily time for play due to a law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that was signed Friday.

“School can often be stressful, and a guaranteed playtime is an easy way to help reduce some of that stress for kids,” Peters said. “Unstructured play was a critical part of my development growing up, which is why I wanted to ensure all kids in Illinois had a right to it. It will help them stay healthy and keep their minds sharp.”

Read more: Peters guarantees kids’ right to play

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is celebrating Friday’s signing of legislation he sponsored that would allow local school councils of Chicago Public Schools to fill vacancies in almost any situation.

“Parents, students and other members of the community have the right to have a say in how the schools in their area are run, and local school councils are how that right is realized,” Peters said. “If a small technical rule prevents them from being able to meet, then they need to have the recourse to fix that issue, and this law accomplishes this.”

Read more: Local school councils can always fill vacancies under new Peters law

CHICAGO – Parents of Chicago Public Schools students will soon have more transparency around misconduct and discipline thanks to the efforts of State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“I think every parent probably expects that fights in schools are going to happen, but that doesn’t mean they should be kept in the dark when they do,” Peters said. “If parents aren’t aware of what’s going on at their kids’ schools, then it’s entirely possible that their kids might not get the treatment for trauma they need simply because their parents don’t know they need it.”

Read more: Governor signs Peters’ parental notification of misconduct measure