Bill Text: IL SR1001 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares April 2024 as Second Chance Month in the State of Illinois.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-17 - Referred to Assignments [SR1001 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR1001-Introduced.html

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SR1001 LRB103 40424 ECR 72740 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, America was founded on the promise of new
beginnings; and
WHEREAS, Every year, more than 650,000 people are released
from State and Federal prisons, some leaving with nothing more
than a few dollars and a bus ticket to start their new lives;
in total, over 70 million Americans have a criminal history
record, potentially making it hard for them to secure a steady
job, safe housing, affordable health care, a good education,
or small business loans, all of which are important things to
have when trying to build a good life; studies demonstrate
that when these needs are met, not only are formerly
incarcerated people empowered but crime is prevented and our
communities are safer; and
WHEREAS, That is why, last year, the Biden Administration
released a comprehensive strategic plan to improve the
criminal justice system and strengthen public safety,
including over 100 concrete actions that the Administration is
taking to boost public safety by improving rehabilitation in
jails and prisons, helping people rebuild their lives, and
reducing unnecessary interactions with the criminal justice
system so police officers can focus on fighting crime; and

SR1001 - 2 - LRB103 40424 ECR 72740 r
WHEREAS, The Biden Administration has also invested nearly
$1 billion in job training, addiction recovery, and reentry
services across the country and has expanded access to Pell
Grants so people can earn a college degree while they are
incarcerated and can start over with new skills; the
Administration is also helping formerly incarcerated people
find good-paying jobs on projects to rebuild America funded by
the historic infrastructure law and by expanding opportunities
to serve in the Federal Government; and
WHEREAS, At the same time, the Biden Administration has
taken historic steps to end America's failed approach to
marijuana; incarceration for marijuana possession alone has
destroyed too many lives, particularly for Black and Brown
Americans who have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at
higher rates than other racial and ethnic groups; in 2022,
President Biden asked the Secretary of Health and Human
Services Xavier Becerra and Attorney General Merrick Garland
to start formally reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under
Federal law; he has issued categorical pardons for people
convicted for simple marijuana possession and use under
Federal and D.C. law while urging governors to do the same on
the State level; it is unethical for a person to be in jail or
prison for using or possessing marijuana alone; and
WHEREAS, Meanwhile, the Biden Administration has made

SR1001 - 3 - LRB103 40424 ECR 72740 r
historic investments to expand access to mental health and
substance use services; and
WHEREAS, The Biden Administration has also provided $400
million to prevent juvenile justice involvement and to make
these systems more responsive to the needs of youth and over $3
billion in funding for education programs that provide
support, services, and interventions to keep students
positively engaged in their schools and communities; and
WHEREAS, By working together to improve the criminal
justice system, our communities will be safer, stronger, and
more just; these efforts will make families and communities
whole and help grow our economy, giving everyone a fair
chance; therefore, be it