SPRINGFIELD (May 19, 2015) – Illinois’ mounting budget crisis and dangerously overcrowded prisons have produced a state criminal justice system that is in desperate need for reform. In an attempt to fix this problem, Gov. Bruce Rauner has formed a State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform to begin reducing Illinois’ prison population and reforming a court system that locks so many offenders in a lifetime of crime, recidivism and poverty.

On Wednesday, May 20, the Illinois Policy Institute will host a panel discussion in Springfield to discuss the problems that currently plague Illinois’ criminal justice system and reforms needed in the state. A live stream and footage of the event will be available online. Included on the panel will be a member of the governor’s commission along with the leading organizations advocating for meaningful policy reforms that will ensure public safety while providing true reform for offenders.

This broad scoped and engaging discussion will include topics such as:

• What state laws and policies are contributing to the flawed sentencing structure in Illinois?
• How do barriers to employment and housing for ex-offenders lead to recidivism and long-term lives of crime?
• How can alternative sentencing options such as drug courts and parole help ease Illinois’ prison population while protecting the public?

Details for the event:

WHAT: Panel discussion titled, “Realizing reform: Fixing Illinois’ criminal justice system”

WHERE: Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 South 6th St. Springfield, IL 62701

***Live stream and footage available here: https://livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/4050955

WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m. CST

Keynote speaker: Samantha Gaddy, Policy Advisor for Public Safety for the Office of the Governor

Panel participants:

• Vikrant Reddy, Charles Koch Institute
• Todd Belcore, Sgt. Shriver Center
• David Camic, Illinois Policy institute
• Greg Newburn, Families Against Mandatory Minimums
• Jesse Wiese, Justice Fellowship