Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his journey into politics, Illinois' pro-worker legislation and efforts to prepare Illinois residents for careers in the trades.
Born deaf with a speech impediment and adopted by a civil rights lawyer and social worker, Peters overcame significant challenges to become a community organizer and later a state senator. He emphasized the importance of solidarity in his upbringing and how it drives his work in criminal justice reform and economic justice. Peters highlighted Illinois' progressive worker rights legislation, including the Workers Rights Amendment, which enshrined the right to collective bargaining in the state’s Constitution. He also discussed the Worker Freedom of Speech Act, which protects employees from being forced to attend captive audience meetings.
Peters then spoke about his efforts to strengthen worker safety standards in Illinois, particularly in response to federal rollbacks. As the Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, he emphasized the need for states to step up and protect workers when federal protections are weakened. Peters also highlighted the Clean and Equitable Jobs Act, which combines environmental goals with labor rights, demonstrating Illinois' commitment to both climate action and worker empowerment. He stressed the importance of addressing worker safety and economic justice together, rather than treating them as separate issues.
The state senator also discussed his involvement in Higher360, a program in Cook County that secured over $550,000 to prepare local residents for careers in the building trades. This initiative is part of a larger $19 million grant funding effort by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to support pre-apprenticeship programs across the state. Peters emphasized the program's comprehensive approach, providing not only training but also essential services to ensure participants' success after entering the trades.
To hear more about Peters' efforts to champion worker rights and safety in Illinois, listen to the full episode of the podcast.