CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, carried legislation that would require the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) to hire re-entry specialists for correctional institutions statewide. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law Friday.
“Re-entering society after incarceration is a difficult process full of obstacles and surrounded by stigma,” said Lilly. “Incarcerated individuals deserve to live full lives as productive members of society. This legislation will provide the assistance necessary for these individuals to reintegrate into society and enjoy their communities.”
House Bill 3465 requires DOC to hire re-entry specialists for every jail and correctional institution or facility to assist with the re-entry of offenders who were committed to the DOC for a felony. DOC must set rules and responsibilities for re-entry specialists such as signing offenders up for health care. The legislation requires re-entry specialists even at institutions without a re-entry program.
“The formerly incarcerated have finished their sentences and don’t deserve to be punished by the many hurdles re-entry poses,” Lilly said. “Re-entry specialists are critical to a successful transition back into the community and have the potential to positively change the lives of incarcerated individuals across the state.”
For more information on the bill, please visit www.ilga.gov.
Rep. Camille Y Lilly
(D-Chicago)
78th District
Visit Rep Lilly’s website
Springfield Office:
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