Restorative Justice/Criminal Justice Reform in IL: HB 4207 (Sealing 10+)

higher learning network,nfp

Good day,

 

We hope that this message finds you well and in good spirits.

We are writing today on behalf of the CommUnity Justice Coalition in Illinois.

Last month, IL State Rep La Shawn Ford and our Coalition brought officials and community together for the Chicagoland Restoring Justice Summit.  Here is the CAN TV video: http://cantv.org/watch-now/restorative-justice-summit/

 

On this past Wednesday, our very own "Justice League" in Illinois gathered at the Capitol in Springfield for a hearing before the House Restorative Justice ("RJ") Committee to discuss re-entry reform measures for rehabilitated EXoffenders in our State, particularly those carrying the weight of high level felony offenses (Xs,1s, and 2s as well as 3s and 4s that remain unsealable).

 

 

This RJ Committee is comprised of some of the "usual suspects" who fight for second chances at the State level all the time, like Reps La Shawn Ford (RJ Committee Chair), Mary Flowers, and Monique Davis; but they were also joined by Reps Cassidy, Anthony, and Harris, along with ILBC Reps Welch, Lilly, and Dunkin...there were Democrats and Republicans; folks from Gov Rauner's office as well as members of the IL Prison Review Board (PRB). In IL, and across the country, Criminal Justice Reform is the topic of this moment in time, and it is being worked on by all sides...everyone knows America has made a mistake: there are too many people involved in the correctional system and not enough opportunities for people once they have been reformed.  Take a look at these stories for yourself: www.facebook.com/ILSealBill 

 

 

Your champions for chances were on hand to speak truth to power, to share their stories and advocate for you: Benny Lee (from the National Association for the Empowerment of the Formerly Incarcerated - NAEFI), Randy Ryder (from the Keepin It Real Street Law Program), Clifton "Booney" McFlowler (from BUILD), and Tony Lowrey (from Safer). 

So now is the time for YOU to enter the picture...

State Rep Ford has filed the Sealing 10+ Bill (HB 4207).

We have attached the Fact Sheet & Phone List for you to review, but it a nutshell, it says:

EXoffenders who have committed NONviolent offenses, where no one was hurt or killed,

and it has been 10 years (or more) since they completed the sentence for their last case,

should be eligible to have those criminal records SEALED.

Not even the State's Attorneys are standing in the way to oppose, so there is no excuse to let this chance pass by...

 

 

Since we last worked together on the Illinois Sealing Bill took effect as law in 2014, thousands of people across the State have been helped.  If passed into law, Sealing 10+ could help thousands more EXoffenders, their families, and our communities in Illinois.  But no bill can pass itself, we have to push it through.  If we don't say anything, our legislators won't know that we need them to do this!!!

That said, we NEED YOU, your family and your friends to get on the phone and CALL these legislators THIS WEEK: tell them your names and that YOU NEED THEM to become a SPONSOR for HB 4207 (Sealing 10+) just like they did for the Sealing Bill in 2013.

And if you would like your story to be shared, please email it to RJ@lashawnford.com

 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SPREAD THIS MESSAGE!

 

 

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Best wishes,

Melissa L. Williams

Attorney & Counselor at Law

Executive Director 

WILEY Resource Center, NFP (WRC,NFP)
Legal Support Program/ESP Initiative/Youth & Law Project
Info Line: 773-738-1480

F: 877-441-7081
E: wrcnfp@gmail.com

Web: www.WRC.vpweb.com

"Giving Back Is Paying It Forward..."

 

*For more info about IL Criminal Justice Reform & to Get Involved...