Bill Text: IL HJR0027 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Creates the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force to analyze the existing state of higher education programs for incarcerated individuals, assess barriers and opportunities for those individuals, and to recommend a legislative action plan to expand access.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-10-27 - Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Lakesia Collins [HJR0027 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HJR0027-Enrolled.html

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 27
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

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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

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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

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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;
(11) Two recognized experts on HEP, one appointed by
the Speaker of the House and one by the Minority Leader of
the House; and
(12) One member who is a representative of a statewide
organization that independently monitors corrections
facilities, policies, and practices in Illinois appointed
by the Lieutenant Governor; 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

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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;

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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

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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.