Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters
Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters
Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime
Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime
A court decision involving the government’s seizure of more than $270,000 from two Chicagoans highlights major problems with civil asset forfeiture.
Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions
Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions
Even a very small reduction in recidivism – just 5 percent – would save Illinois taxpayers nearly $187 million over nine years. But if Illinois’ recidivism rate stays the same, taxpayers will pay approximately $5.7 billion for recidivism costs over the next five years.
When second chances come first: An Illinois program breaking the cycle of crime
When second chances come first: An Illinois program breaking the cycle of crime
Self-sufficiency for those who have paid their debt to society: 3 criminal-justice reforms Illinois needs
Self-sufficiency for those who have paid their debt to society: 3 criminal-justice reforms Illinois needs
Without a job, an ex-offender is likely to re-enter the system. Finding work breaks that cycle. Illinois needs major re-entry reforms that remove barriers to employment and work – and give ex-offenders a chance at success.
Illinois bill would start removing occupational-licensing barriers for ex-offenders
Illinois bill would start removing occupational-licensing barriers for ex-offenders
HB 5973 would remove significant occupational-licensing barriers that make it harder for former offenders to support themselves and their families.
Tony
Tony
“The gang initiation happened when I was 12 years old. That was my fist experience with drug and alcohol abuse, and from that day until I was 28 I struggled with addiction. “In spite of that struggle I was still the president of my grammar school and my high school, and I started my career...
Expanding record sealing and negligent-hiring protections offer ex-offenders a better shot at a second chance than “ban the box”
Expanding record sealing and negligent-hiring protections offer ex-offenders a better shot at a second chance than “ban the box”
Letting nonviolent former offenders petition to have their records sealed and protecting businesses from negligent-hiring lawsuits would do more to encourage hiring ex-offenders than “ban the box” alone.
Dr. Daniel Geiter
Dr. Daniel Geiter
“The reason why I wear the jumpsuit is symbolic. “And it’s stark, but this is the thing: You see me today dressed in this business suit. I can go anywhere downtown. The way I talk, the way I look, I will have no problems. No one’s going to ask me to get on the ground....
Rauner joins with lawmakers to introduce criminal-justice reform package
Rauner joins with lawmakers to introduce criminal-justice reform package
Illinois needs much more in the way of reforms if state politicians are going to truly fix the state’s broken criminal-justice system.
Updating felony theft laws can help Illinois save money without harming public safety
Updating felony theft laws can help Illinois save money without harming public safety
A new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows states that adjusted their felony theft laws have not seen an increase in crime. To save on corrections costs, Illinois should update its theft thresholds, too.
Rabbi Binyomin Scheiman
Rabbi Binyomin Scheiman
“Families are the hidden victims of incarceration. “Statistics show that children of people who are incarcerated have a higher rate of incarceration later in life. It does affect them … “Of course if someone does something truly terrible they should be locked up. But you and I both know if you look at the pie chart of...
Illinois Policy Institute and ACLU discuss Rauner’s criminal-justice reform initiatives
Illinois Policy Institute and ACLU discuss Rauner’s criminal-justice reform initiatives
Experts analyze policy recommendations designed to make Illinois’ criminal-justice system fairer and more cost-effective.
Kristin Love
Kristin Love
“The first time I did heroin I was 16 years old … “Your first time you feel invincible, [like] you can do anything, you’re talkative, a little sleepy, best mood you’ve ever had. Instantly I knew this is probably something I’m going to want to do over and over and over again. “My parents, my...