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* From the synopsis to HB5473, which has only one sponsor…
Creates the Second Chance Seat in Every Class Act. Provides that each institution of higher education shall reserve at least one enrollment in each class for a returning resident (a person who is a resident of and domiciled in Illinois, has graduated from high school or the equivalent, has been convicted of a felony by a court sitting in Illinois, was sentenced to incarceration pursuant to that conviction, and is not currently incarcerated) and at least one enrollment in each online class for an incarcerated individual. Provides for computer equipment, Internet connections, books, and supplies for enrolled incarcerated individuals. Creates the Incarcerated Individuals and Returning Residents Educational Supply Fund as a fund of the Department of Returning Resident Affairs. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used exclusively to pay for costs that incarcerated individuals and returning residents incur for books or other supplies needed to take classes under the Act. Provides that any concession or similar agreement between a public institution of higher education and the operator of a bookstore or similar operation at that public institution of higher education shall include a provision requiring the operator of the bookstore or similar operation to pay 1% of its gross revenues from the operation of that bookstore or similar operation to the Fund.
…Adding… From the Safer Foundation…
Leaders across the state have announced their commitment to reducing crime in our communities. Those of us who work every day with justice-involved individuals know that the best way to reduce crime is to address the social determinants that erode communities and create instability.
It is imperative to help justice-involved individuals through improving employment opportunities, increasing affordable housing, making educational prospects attainable, and providing behavioral and primary care health services. These are the things that justice-involved individuals, like everyone else, need to be successful and healthy. The bottom line is healthy and stable people make healthy and stable communities.
Illinois’ current approach to recidivism is not working. The result is a 40% recidivism rate which is estimated to have cost Illinois over $13 billion between 2018 and 2023 according to a 2018 report issued by the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council.
Six bills introduced to the Illinois General Assembly, collectively known as the Second Chance State Initiative, aim to reduce crime by responding to the social determinants of justice involvement, incarceration, and recidivism. These bills should be adopted.
The centerpiece of this initiative, the Second Chance State Act, will create a statewide agency to coordinate government and not-for-profit programs to create comprehensive, personalized services to help justice-involved individuals avoid recidivism.
Additional components of the Initiative address other social determinants of crime:
The Second Chance State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Act leverages formerly incarcerated individuals’ ability to connect with their peers by providing them educational scholarships and other pathways to become licensed behavioral healthcare professionals.
The Second Chance State Housing Act will revitalize neighborhoods by using tax credits and other vehicles to rehabilitate tax delinquent and distressed residences for use by the formerly incarcerated.
The Second Chance State Contracts Act creates sustainable employment for the formerly incarcerated by earmarking dollars from State public works and collective bargaining contracts for apprenticeship programs to train them.
The Second Chance State Education Act provides current and formerly incarcerated individuals with an opportunity for sustainable success by requiring colleges to reserve one seat in every class for them, tuition free.
The Second Chance State Reimaging Justice Act creates an alternative to prosecution that allows justice-involved residents to receive individualized services facilitated by community-based organizations in 13 “hub” communities throughout the State.
Sustainable reductions in crime require sustainable responses to the social determinants that cause it. The Second Chance State Initiative will create a transformative program that will provide significant assistance to justice-involved individuals. By addressing the social determinants that are proven to impact recidivism, Illinois will be poised to achieve significant decreases in overall crime, resulting in healthy people and healthy communities. We urge the public and lawmakers to support it.
Victor Dickson
President & CEO Safer Foundation
* Illinois Policy Institute via Center Square…
State lawmakers have a chance to let Illinoisans clean out the government that no longer fits.
Illinois House Bill 5276 would let local voters more easily petition for a ballot referendum to dissolve a unit of government, giving citizens direct control over how many layers of government they want. It simplifies those 40 pages of instructions, following the recommendations of a bipartisan task force that looked at the problem in 2016 and saw little reason all those little governments couldn’t be rolled up into cities or counties to cut duplication and overhead.
Instead of making reformers get petition signatures equivalent to 10% of the voters in the last general election, it drops the threshold to 5%. It lays out rules ensuring voters in all affected areas approve of dissolutions or consolidations, and for how responsibilities and property are transferred after approval.
Democratic Rep. Jonathan Carroll is carrying the IPI-supported bill.
* Press release…
Legislation to protect Illinois residents from drone surveillance but allow police to better employ the aerial devices in critical searches and investigations has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly.
In the eight years since the initial passage of the Illinois Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act, the number of drones has increased exponentially, and the technology behind drones has transformed. Drones are now regularly utilized to inspect bridges, water towers and power lines as well as by news media, realtors, farmers, and hobbyists.
A coalition of law enforcement officials has met for months to develop legislation to create a modernized framework in Illinois. Groups have included the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Aurora, Elgin, and Palos Heights police departments. Aurora police successfully used drones as part of the overall strategy that saved lives in the deadly Henry Pratt shooting three years ago this week.
“The enhanced capabilities offered by drones is critical for law enforcement and our Illinois laws need to be continually modernized to react to key situations and even more importantly, to preserve individual privacy,” said Sgt. Andrew Wolcott of the Aurora Police Department.
Lt. Matt Udelhoven, a drone expert with the Elgin Police Department, said the recommendations in Senate Bill 4009 and House Bill 5452 are “narrowly tailored to preserve time and resources and most importantly, increase public and personnel safety.”
Among the bill’s proposed changes are:
· Updates the definition of “emotionally disturbed persons” with a narrowly tailored definition to determine when law enforcement may use a drone to determine the best course of action for a person in mental distress. The bill also provides law enforcement an option to assess the situation without the use of physical police personnel, which can aggravate a person in distress.
· Updates the definition of “special event” to reflect the specific designation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The bill permits the use of a drone by a law enforcement agency at a special event to prepare for or observe crowd size, density, and movement; to assess public safety staffing; or to oversee the general safety of the participants. If the special event is occurring on private property, use of a drone for this exception shall be authorized by the owners or organizers prior to the flight.
· Eliminates the word “data” from the definition of “information” and clarifies that the word “information” does not include training of law enforcement officers.
· Provides that a law enforcement agency may use a drone to respond to Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatched calls for 911 service but only when the primary purpose for the response is to locate and/or assist victims, identify offenders, and to guide emergency response.
· Provides that information gathered by a drone is subject to the disclosure and exception to disclosure provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The current law restricts the ability to release drone footage, so the new language increases transparency.Senate Bill 4009 is sponsored by Senator John Connor, D-Lockport; and House Bill 5452 is sponsored by Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City. The bills will be considered during the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly.
…Adding… Press release…
At the request of Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) introduced a measure to create a texting system that would automatically update victims and witnesses on pending court dates.
“We have an option to make the court system as accessible as possible to victims of crime,” Morrison said. “This pilot program is innovative and will make a difference in how Lake County will be able to communicate with victims and their families.”
Morrison’s proposal would create a pilot program through the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to text victims and witnesses about upcoming court dates.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office employs 12 full-time victim-witness coordinators who guide and support victims through the court process. The coordinators work to connect the survivors of crimes with services while also educating them about how their own case will proceed through court. Part of the coordinators’ duties include updating victims and witnesses on changes in court dates.
“Our office is here to support every victim in every way we can. We need this ‘safety net’ of information so that we can be 100% sure we are reaching those who need the courthouse the most. Our coordinators are amazing,” Rinehart said. “Some of them have over 150 victims to contact. With this new program, they can prioritize individualized support while this system quickly delivers basic and accurate information to every victim and every witness.”
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office estimated that it supports more than 1,000 victims at a time. While the program spearheaded by Morrison would start in Lake County, it would give other prosecutors’ offices a chance to learn and build upon the Lake County program down the road.
Senate Bill 3779 awaits a hearing in the Appropriations-Judiciary Committee.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 1:33 pm
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I am not against the second chance act but I don’t understand it. I would assume there would be non qualifying felonies for in person learning. Teaching incarcerated people is a good thing but I thought IDOC had programs to get GEDs. But this says for people who have graduated from high school so is this for colleges?
I think the best thing for ex offenders would be a method to expunge a crime totally.
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 1:52 pm
I’m pretty sure a felony conviction/criminal record isn’t a permanent bar to college admission at any Illinois school. Heck, most Illinois colleges would love to have more students, so if these applicants have the academic chops, why limit this to one or two per school? And if these applicants have the academic record to succeed in college, why wouldn’t they be eligible for MAP and/or Pell grants, assuming they meet income limits? Why tax all textbooks when we already have programs designed to help low-income students pay for these things?
Seems like a solution in search of a problem. Again, I can’t think of a single Illinois college that wouldn’t want more students, as long as they are academically qualified.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 1:57 pm
Re: HB5473
I am sympathetic to the intention of this bill, but unfortunately, this is not the way to make changes. For example, Federal Loans and many Universities ask if a person has a felony conviction. According to the FAFSA application, if a person answers affirmatively to the question “have you ever been convicted,” then the person is immediately deemed ineligible to receive grants and loans.
I also am not convinced “reserving one seat in every class offered,” actually addresses the real need - it is only a symbolic gesture.
I would love to see us open up higher education to former inmates and people convicted of crimes, and would even love to help craft such legislative change. But this bill is not how to do it.
Comment by H-W Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:05 pm
There are already community college programs in the prison but, and this may be shocking to hear, they are under-funded so they scrape by with old damaged books.
Comment by Grimlock Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:24 pm
The Second Change Act allows free tuition, books and fees to the felon.
Comment by Because I said so.... Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:24 pm
Drones. Are ISP / IDOT allowed to use them for traffic / accident / enforcement purposes?
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:27 pm
Is there a bar for federally secured student loans to felons? I’m just a little confused about why its needed as opposed to the traditional student loan process. Seems strange to create a grant/scholarship fund if those loans are available.
I’m a little disappointed that the HB 5276 has been shafted into Rules. There are a number of superfluous units of local government and it can be onerous (and costly) to get one dissolved, especially where there are challenges to petitions to do so, appeals to the courts, etc.
Comment by Just Another Anon Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:31 pm
Yeah I don’t expect that Second Chance Act to go anywhere in that form. It expects all universities, including highly selective ones like UIUC, to reserve spaces in each of its classes for ex-felons, yet doesn’t require them to go through the admissions process? As far as I know no one else gets that privilege other than admitted students, so why should we give it to ex-felons? Assuming they have GEDs or HS diplomas already, let’s start with community colleges and let them prove their mettle academically there first. If they have, they can apply to more selective 4 year schools just like anyone else. If the crime was nonviolent, perhaps it should be disregarded in the admissions process. If it was violent, it should still be considered as it is relevant to campus safety.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:43 pm
By ‘class’ do they mean one admission every year, or one seat in every section?
Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:46 pm
-why limit this to one or two per school?-
The bill text refers to one seat per class offered by the school, not say “Class of 2026,” etc. So for like UIUC that’s thousands of classes. It also bypasses admissions.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:46 pm
Even though students have a GED or are high school graduates, many are not prepared for college-level work.
Developmental Education and pre-credit classes are available for those students who need additional assistance. Students must qualify for entrance into credit classes.
Often a community college provides resources and tutoring services along with a Ventra card for public transportation.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 2:59 pm
“Second Chance Seat in Every Class Act”
So Jason Van Dyke gets help to go to college?
Comment by Nothing to see here Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 3:10 pm
Eric Rinehart is seemingly a tried and true champion for Lake County, bless that man.
Comment by Lake Villa Township Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 3:31 pm
“A coalition of law enforcement officials has met for months…” Translation: here’s what the police want. Every time I see these “coalitions” I never once see any regular citizens, you know, the taxpayers, included in these groups, much less the ACLU, defense lawyers, or anyone who would oppose the police wish list.
“The enhanced capabilities (note the military terminology) offered by drones is critical (critical for what? cops have not had drones for the last 200 years) for law enforcement and our Illinois laws need to be continually modernized to react to key situations (what’s a key situation? defined by who?) and even more importantly, to preserve individual privacy,” Is there any cop alive who cares about individual privacy? I don’t know about that one.
Comment by Payback Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 3:44 pm
===Second Chance Seat in Every Class Act===
So, all I have to do get admitted to U of I is be a felon? I’m in. S/
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 3:49 pm
-So, all I have to do get admitted to U of I is be a felon? I’m in.-
And perhaps more appropriately for Illinois, Governors State. /s
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 3:56 pm
Opening the door to more drones being allowed everywhere is a really slippery slope.
I know it’s cool when we see the movies and the cops/government can tap into cameras everywhere and watch our movements. This law will codify that the continued trend of the Patriot Act, where law enforcement can track you everywhere will continue.
Comment by Tomorrow is yesterday Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 4:11 pm
-This law will codify that the continued trend of the Patriot Act, where law enforcement can track you everywhere will continue-
The patriot act has been around since 2001. I have yet to be contacted by any law enforcement official regarding a cell phone conversation I had. I’ve never noticed a black sedan following me everywhere. I haven’t been asked for my papers while traveling around town, around the state, or around the country. There are roughly 320 million people in the US. I think we are going to need more drones to fulfill your paranoid fantasy.
Comment by Drones Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 4:39 pm
-The Second Chance State Education Act provides current and formerly incarcerated individuals with an opportunity for sustainable success by requiring colleges to reserve one seat in every class for them, tuition free.-
Yes, this is a laudable goal, but this is going to see a lot more opposition than just GOP. How can we justify providing generous education benefits like these to ex-felons when we can’t already provide them to non-felons? Should we do something, yes, but not this.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 4:47 pm
What about the victims of these felons, especially violent felons? Do they get the same benefits?
Comment by DuPage Monday, Feb 14, 22 @ 4:59 pm