HJ0027 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0027 LRB102 17825 MST 24216 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The benefits of higher education programming (HEP)to committed persons and to society are well-documented; and

WHEREAS, There is clear and documented interest among persons committed in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to participate in higher education opportunities during their incarceration; and

WHEREAS, There is clear and documented interest among public and private not-for-profit colleges and universities in Illinois to offer a range of higher education programming (e.g., credit-bearing, non-credit bearing, upper-division, lower-division, graduate studies) focused on different content areas (e.g., arts, liberal arts, technology, humanities, business, public policy, and social services) in the State's prisons; and

WHEREAS, IDOC has committed to improving HEP programming; and

WHEREAS, IDOC policies can support incarcerated students and HEP's efficient operation and growth; and

WHEREAS, Public and private not-for-profit universities and colleges in Illinois have primary expertise in running higher education at conventional campuses, in-person at IDOC facilities, and via correspondence; and

WHEREAS, Public and private not-for-profit universities and colleges in Illinois have established HEP programs and are guided by best practices as articulated by the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison, the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison, and other expert bodies; and

WHEREAS, A diversity of higher education programs run by public and private not-for-profit institutions will best respond to the needs and interests of the diverse population of persons committed in IDOC; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly recognizes the importance of providing opportunity for all incarcerated in Illinois to access HEP; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force whose purpose is the following:

(1) To obtain and analyze existing data on HEP in Illinois;

(2) To identify data points that IDOC should collect to allow for meaningful, statewide evaluation of HEP;

(3) To assess barriers and opportunities to HEP in Illinois, including barriers and opportunities to continuing higher education upon release from IDOC; and

(4) To recommend a legislative action plan to expand access to HEP in Illinois and propel Illinois to being a national exemplar in that area; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) The Governor or his or her designee, who will serve as Chair;

(2) The Director of the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative as designated by the Lieutenant Governor;

(3) The Director of IDOC or his or her chief of staff;

(4) The Chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education or his or her designee;

(5) The Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board or his or her designee;

(6) The Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority or his or her designee;

(7) One State Representative appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one State Representative appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, one State Senator appointed by the President of the Senate, and one State Senator appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(8) Two academic officers (e.g., deans or provosts) at institutions currently or formerly involved with HEP in Illinois, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one by the Minority Leader of the House;

(9) Two current or past administrators or instructors in Illinois HEP programs, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one by the Minority Leader of the House;

(10) Two formerly incarcerated individuals who participated in HEP in Illinois, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one by the Minority Leader of the House; and

(11) Two recognized experts on HEP, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one by the Minority Leader of the House; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall have all appointments made within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force members shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall hold at least six meetings, but otherwise shall meet at the call of the Chair; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force and be responsible for administering its operations and ensuring that the requirements of the Task Force are met; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and General Assembly no later than July 31, 2022; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the final report shall be made available online for the general public, and upon the release of its report, the Task Force is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois commits to becoming a national exemplar of higher education for incarcerated persons by supporting and encouraging the establishment of new programs and by enhancing existing programs across the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That IDOC is urged to train its correctional officers and other personnel on the values of HEP; and be it further

RESOLVED, That universities and colleges will be in charge of admissions, program design, academic content, and implementation of their respective programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That IDOC is urged to enact and implement internal policies that support HEP programs' efficient operation and their growth and that support incarcerated students; and be it further

RESOLVED, That IDOC is urged to encourage all eligible committed persons to apply for higher education programming, without restriction as to offense, sentence length, or remaining time to be served; and be it further

RESOLVED, That IDOC is urged to implement transfer holds of committed persons enrolled in higher education programming until that person completes their courses, unless documented safety reasons compel a transfer; and be it further

RESOLVED, That IDOC is urged to not discriminate between higher education programs based on whether they offer degrees or course credit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That IDOC is urged to not prevent committed persons from participating in more than one higher education program, either concurrently or consecutively, or after they have completed a degree while incarcerated; and be it further

RESOLVED, That IDOC is urged to not limit HEP opportunities to those who have a High School Equivalency (HSE) or high school degree diploma or discriminate against those programs that do not require a HSE or high school diploma.