Crawford Advances Bill to Review Barriers Facing Millions of Illinoisans with Criminal Record

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- State Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, has successfully advanced legislation out of committee aimed at addressing long-term barriers faced by individuals with arrest or conviction records across Illinois.

“We believe in second chances, but these are permanent punishments,” Crawford said. “They carry lasting consequences that go beyond the initial sentence and can follow someone for the rest of their life.”

In Illinois, nearly 4 million residents—approximately one in three—have some form of arrest or conviction record. While many individuals have completed their sentences and paid their debt to society, they continue to face significant obstacles when seeking employment, housing, and educational opportunities.

To address this issue, Crawford introduced House Bill 5091, which establishes a task force composed of experts, researchers, and individuals with lived experience to conduct a comprehensive review of the barriers faced by people with records and evaluate existing policies to determine what is effective and what may need reform. The legislation does not change existing criminal laws or sentencing guidelines; instead, it focuses on studying current systems and developing informed recommendations, with the task force expected to meet over the coming years and deliver a final report with findings and recommendations by January 2028.

“When people are unable to find stable employment or housing, it doesn’t make our communities safer—it makes it harder for people to succeed and move forward,” Crawford said. “This is about finding solutions that promote fairness while supporting strong, safe communities, and ensuring that this state balances accountability and opportunity—so everyone has a fair chance to rebuild their lives after they’ve paid their dues.”

The legislation now advances to the House for further consideration.