Global Strategy Group
8%6%4%2%0%
5%
Democrat
Robert Peters
IL-02 Democratic nominee?
$41.6K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundPolitician
EducationB.A. (Social Sciences), Kansas State University
Notable personal detailsRobert Peters is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 13th District, serving since 2019. He has a background in political and community organizing and has worked on criminal justice reform, including legislation related to ending cash bail in Illinois. In 2025 he launched a campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District for the 2026 cycle.
SourcesShowHide
ilga.govrobertpetersforcongress.comen.wikipedia.orgchicago.suntimes.comillinoisdelivered.comvi.web-platforms-vi.nyti.nyt.netaxios.comnbcchicago.comnews.wttw.comthelansingjournal.orgharveyworld.orgeverything.explained.todaycbsnews.comapnews.comsenatorrobertpeters.comballotready.orgillinoissenatedemocrats.comcitizennewspapergroup.comchicagocitywire.commanhattan.institutewashingtonpost.comfoxnews.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgdocquery.fec.govdurbin.senate.govcongress.govziplook.house.govhouse.govfec.govpeters.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports progressive economic policies including raising the minimum wage, eliminating the state sales tax on groceries, expanding property tax relief for seniors, and advancing Medicare-for-All and other policies to expand government-provided health coverage and benefits for working families.
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All and making quality health care a universal guarantee; proposes rolling back attacks on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicare’s ability to lower prescription drug prices. Has sponsored and led state legislation to curb predatory insurance practices, expand mental-health coverage, ban harmful short-term plans, and increase transparency and network adequacy in Illinois. These positions indicate support for major public expansions of coverage and stronger government regulation of insurers.
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Immigration & Border
Supports welcoming immigrant communities, condemns militarized immigration raids and federal actions that separate families, and frames Illinois policy as protecting asylum seekers and immigrant rights. Emphasizes humanitarian responses and opposes federal enforcement tactics perceived as cruel or divisive.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive health care, opposes the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, and has voted for legislation to safeguard abortion access and related reproductive services in Illinois. States Illinois should remain a welcoming place for people seeking abortion care from hostile states and has called for federal protections for reproductive rights.
Climate & Energy
Supports ambitious clean-energy and environmental-justice policies, including co-sponsorship of the Clean Energy Jobs Act that aims to reduce Illinois’ dependence on fossil fuels to zero by 2050; has promoted offshore wind development and sponsored state bills to deploy non-combustible thermal energy networks to replace fossil-fuel heating. Has been recognized by environmental groups for a pro-environment voting record and advocacy for climate action.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-violence prevention programs, community-based intervention funding, and state-level measures to strengthen firearm-violence prevention; has sponsored legislation to expand the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention and to create licensing and accountability for firearms manufacturers. Emphasizes investing in community services and prevention rather than punitive approaches to reduce gun violence.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Robert Peters is in the news as Illinois heads into a crowded 2026 primary season, driven by multiple congressional retirements and a large field of candidates competing for open seats. Coverage has focused on the fast-approaching March 17, 2026 primary, with high turnout expected and voting options including early voting, mail-in ballots, and some same-day registration. Illinois Democrats and Democratic contenders have also been spotlighted for criticizing President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran and backing efforts to limit military action without congressional approval.
ilga.gov+30
Articles
TBThe Boston Herald3 months ago
Congress' record retirements create candidate frenzy in Illinois
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
Illinois Democrats denounce Donald Trump's strikes against Iran
Positive
CSChicago Sun-Times4 months ago
Underdog U.S. Senate candidates call for new voices in Washington at UChicago debate
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
A voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Illinois Democratic Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Robert Peters for Illinois Democratic Senate nominee?
Leaders We Deserve
Public figure
Leaders We Deserve endorsed Robert Peters for Illinois's 2nd congressional district.
College Democrats of America
Public endorsement
College Democrats of America endorsed Robert Peters for Illinois's 2nd congressional district.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.3M
$993.0K
$662.0K
$331.0K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.3M
$21.4K
$1.3M
$86.8K
Source: FEC