SB2975 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38321 RLC 68456 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2975

Introduced 1/31/2024, by Sen. Doris Turner

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
20 ILCS 3930/7.11 new

Creates the Decatur Welcome Home Reentry Pilot Program Act. Provides that the Decatur Welcome Home Reentry Pilot Program is established in the Department of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall administer the program throughout its facilities as program participation shall be available to any eligible incarcerated person seeking reentry into the Decatur, Illinois community. Provides that the Department shall establish a process by which the Department assists incarcerated persons with reentry into the greater Decatur area before they are released. Provides that the assistance provided by the Department shall include, but is not limited to, helping provide individuals with identification cards and providing workforce training before an individual is released. Provides that the Department shall partner with community-based organizations that help individuals released into the greater Decatur area to receive vocational training and assistance, find gainful employment, find housing, and provide physical and behavioral health services and support services. Provides that the Department shall provide assistance to these community-based organizations. Provides that the program shall operate for a period of 3 years from the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall work with the Department of Corrections to gather and analyze data detailing the annual results of the program along with overall program results. Provides that the report shall be submitted to the Governor and General Assembly no later than 6 months after the completion of the pilot program. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act to make conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning criminal law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Decatur Welcome Home Reentry Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly acknowledges that:

(1) Individuals released from prison encounter immediate challenges related to employment, housing, behavioral health, and social support.

(2) Individuals are often released to underserved communities with few resources to address these needs and more.

(3) Recidivism rates are high and that according to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority almost half are rearrested during the first year of release, and two-thirds are rearrested within 3 years.

(4) Without assistance, rates will continue to grow and could cost the State billions of dollars.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Corrections.

"Reentry" means the transition of an individual from a corrective setting back into the community.

"Reentry program" means any activity or program designed to assist returning individuals with a safe and smooth transition to their communities.

Section 15. Decatur Welcome Home Reentry Pilot Program.

(a) The Decatur Welcome Home Reentry Pilot Program is established in the Department of Corrections.

(b) The Department of Corrections shall administer the program throughout its facilities as program participation shall be available to any eligible incarcerated person seeking reentry into the Decatur, Illinois community.

(c) The Department shall establish a process by which the Department assists incarcerated persons with reentry into the greater Decatur area before they are released. The assistance provided by the Department shall include, but is not limited to, helping provide individuals with identification cards and providing workforce training before an individual is released.

(d) The Department shall partner with community-based organizations that help individuals released into the greater Decatur area to receive vocational training and assistance, find gainful employment, find housing, and provide physical and behavioral health services and support services. The Department shall provide assistance to these community-based organizations.

Section 20. Duration of program. The program shall operate for a period of 3 years from the effective date of this Act.

Section 25. Report. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall work with the Department of Corrections to gather and analyze data detailing the annual results of the program along with overall program results. The report shall be submitted to the Governor and General Assembly no later than 6 months after the completion of the pilot program.

Section 90. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act is amended by adding Section 7.11 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3930/7.11 new)

Sec. 7.11. Decatur Welcome Home Reentry Pilot Program Act data. The Authority shall perform the duties prescribed in the Decatur Welcome Home Reentry Pilot Program Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2025.