CHICAGO – To ensure that youth offenders are treated fairly and are rehabilitated during their incarceration, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently championed legislation that will overhaul Illinois’ treatment of youth offenders.

“As the former deputy director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, I know firsthand that many protocols for dealing with our young people are inadequate and in desperate need of reform,” said Slaughter. “Our young people are deserving of humane treatment and dignity while they serve their time, and I cannot rest until this is a reality.”

Slaughter’s House Bill 3513, which makes sweeping changes to the treatment of youth offenders in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The bill makes changes to Illinois’ treatment of youth offenders by prohibiting IDJJ from preventing family visits for incarcerated youth and providing life skill training classes for young people so they may make a smooth transition into adulthood. Additionally, the bill bans private youth correctional facilities and changes to sentencing guideline so that habitual and violent youth offenders receive a more uniform 12- month extension to their sentence instead of staying behind bars until they reach 21. This bill also bans the use of solitary confinement as a form of punishment.

“These kids may have made a mistake, but it will be an even bigger mistake to simply write them off when we know that the children are indeed our future.,” said Slaughter. “We must be a state that invests in its future, and we must create opportunities for these young offenders to become reformed citizens who are equipped to meaningfully to our society.”

CHICAGO – To enhance Illinois’ commitment to social justice and fair treatment under state law, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently championed legislation that prevents law enforcement from using deceptive practices during interrogations with minors.

“Although we cannot reverse the damage from decades of ‘tough on crime’ policies, we have and will continue to take the necessary steps to make Illinois a more fair and just state,” said Slaughter. “We will not repeat the mistakes of the past by locking up countless young people for crimes that they didn’t do.”

Slaughter’s Senate Bill 2122 seeks to address Illinois’ longstanding problem with using deceptive practices to gather false confessions from minors to convict them. Deception refers to common tactics used by law enforcement such as lying about evidence or telling the suspect that they can make a deal to reduce the seriousness of their charges or sentence. The law will make any confession from minors gathered in this manner automatically inadmissible in court. Further, members of law enforcement are encouraged to use alternative methods that have a history of producing truthful confessions.

Signed recently by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Senate Bill 2122 will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

“Our children are our future, and we cannot afford to recklessly imprison them for things that they did not do,” said Slaughter. “I will continue to stand up for the voiceless in our community and advocate for a criminal justice system that reflects the true values and spirit of Illinois.”

CHICAGO – Measures to improve compensation for victims of crime and strengthen and enhance the SAFE-T Act, Illinois’ comprehensive criminal justice reforms passed earlier this year, championed by state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, were recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Although we made much needed progress with the passage of the SAFE-T Act to strengthen police accountability and devote more resources to fighting violent crime, we still have a lot of work to do before Illinois sees the equality and fairness that we so desperately need,” Slaughter said. “We must keep pressing forward in order to build an equitable, modern and more responsive public safety system.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed into law two bills sponsored by Slaughter that build upon the SAFE-T Act, also known as Public Act 101-0652. House Bill 3443 aligns the definition of a mental health crisis with standards from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This will help police departments meet requirements for monthly reports filed with the Illinois State Police (ISP) containing their responses to people experiencing a mental health crisis. House Bill 3443 also strengthens timelines for implementing the SAFE-T Act. House Bill 3295 increases potential compensation for victims of violent crime by over 66% from $27,000 to $45,000 and allows more time for victims to successfully complete applications for compensation.

“Illinois is experiencing a new day for equity and for justice by adopting a smart on crime approach to public safety and turning the page on the failed policies of the past that kept families less safe,” Slaughter said. “ I will continue to push for improvements to our justice system so that every family can feel safe in their community.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is highlighting National Expungement Week by drawing attention to opportunities for local citizens to expunge arrest records under Illinois’ new law legalizing the adult-use of cannabis.

“An arrest record or conviction can follow someone long after they’ve gotten in trouble and unfortunately, these records can act as a barrier to building a better life,” Harper said. “Since a criminal record can keep someone from accessing jobs and housing, it’s critical that citizens trying to build a better life are aware about opportunities that allow them to expunge their records.”

Under the Harper-backed legalization of adult-use of recreational cannabis, Illinois will expand opportunities for the expungement of arrest records, which means that eligible police arrest records will be destroyed. For citizens with arrest records for possession of cannabis under 30 grams, the expungement process is automatic if the arrest did not result in conviction. For arrests for possession of cannabis under 30 grams that resulted in conviction, Gov. J.B. Pritzker will offer pardons after eligible convictions have been identified by the Illinois State Police and reviewed by the State’s Prisoner Review Board. Individuals arrested and convicted for cannabis cases involving possession of 30 to 500 grams, including with other associated crimes, will be eligible to file a motion to vacate their conviction and have the associated record expunged.

“Illinois is unique in that it is offering the broadest expungement opportunities for any state that has legalized recreational cannabis for adults,” Harper said. “People who have a minor cannabis record shouldn’t have that mistake follow them around for the rest of their lives, and thanks to the expungement opportunities in Illinois, they don’t have to.”  

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A criminal justice reform measure from State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, to set a limit on the time certain warrants can remain active recently advanced through the Illinois House to the desk of Governor J.B. Pritzker.

“As a society, it’s important that we give individuals who made a mistake a second chance and the opportunity to hold a job and contribute in a positive manner to their community,” Harper said. “Unfortunately, for those who are on probation or supervision and are on the right track, something such as simple as a traffic violation can lead to a warrant that jeopardizes their hard work, progress, and reform.”

Harper sponsored Senate Bill 1583 to help law enforcement prioritize violence reduction and free up resources and manpower by setting a ten-year limit on warrants for probation violations where the underlying conviction involved possession of a controlled substance or low-level theft. The bill is an initiative of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, which found that most probation violations for such offenses did not involve individuals suspected of similar crimes or other major offenses, but instead involved traffic violations or petty ordinance violations. Under the measure, law enforcement will be able to seek an extension of such warrants if it is believed that an extension will serve the best interests of justice. The purpose of limit on warrants is to reduce the negative effects of warrants including disruption of families, loss of employment, and law enforcement being distracted from working toward combatting violent crime.

“By helping law enforcement focus on fighting violent crime instead of chasing down people on probation who commit a traffic violation and never committed a violent crime, we can ensure that the precious resources of law enforcement are helping make communities safer,” Harper said. “I encourage Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign this measure to help police, help individuals in the criminal justice system reintegrate into society, and help build stronger communities.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader and lead negotiator of cannabis legalization, state Rep. Jehan-Gordon Booth, D-Peoria, issued the following statement after the end of the legislative session:

“This year, Illinois began to move beyond the failed tenure of former Governor Bruce Rauner to come together for historic criminal justice reforms to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis, provide civics education for incarcerated individuals to help reduce recidivism, and continue to work to improve police and community relations by preventing racial profiling. As a lead negotiator, we were also able to enact measures to increase economic opportunity by making sure minimum wage workers are paid a fair wage, women are paid equally for performing the work as men, and that lower-income families have access to banking services.”

“By legalizing adult-use recreational cannabis, Illinois can provide a model for the nation on how to put the needs of citizens ahead of big businesses and out-of-state interests, while also providing equity and economic opportunity to communities that have been harmed by the War on Drugs. Under this measure, state revenue from cannabis sales can fund a community renewal program for communities across Illinois that have historically faced disinvestment, particularly communities of color.”

Gordon-Booth created an equity workforce opportunity at community colleges across the state to help communities fill the local skills gap and provide people with head of household jobs with an equity centered focus.

Economic opportunity measures supported by Gordon-Booth included Senate Bill 1, an increase in wages for minimum wage workers combined with a tax credit for small businesses to help offset the cost of the wage increase. Gordon-Booth also sponsored House Bill 834, which significantly strengthens the state’s equal pay laws to ensure women are paid equally to men for performing the same work and making it unlawful for an employer to require a job applicant reveal their past wage or salary history during the application process. Additionally, Gordon-Booth sponsored the Illinois Bank On Initiative to help low-income families access banking services and build financial literacy. Together, these measures will help Illinois build a stronger middle class and lift up more families by expanding economic opportunity.

Gordon-Booth represents the 92nd District, which includes Bartonville, Bellevue, Peoria, Peoria Heights, and West Peoria.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following the adjournment of the 101st General Assembly for the 2019 spring legislative session, state Rep. Arthur Turner, D-Chicago, highlighted his legislative accomplishments and efforts to move the state of Illinois forward.  

“Four years of failed leadership under Bruce Rauner devastated our local community and state as a whole, but lawmakers from around the state came together this session and we have made real progress for true change in the state of Illinois,” said Turner.  “One of my top priorities as state Representative has been to instate a living wage for working families, and this year I proudly voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.  I also supported a Fair Tax plan that will provide tax relief to 97% of families across our state.”

Turner also continued his work on criminal justice reform and improving conditions for incarcerated individuals by passing legislation that will make it easier for them to find employment upon their release. Turner’s legislation, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the Illinois House and Senate, will require the Illinois Department of Corrections to give incarcerated individuals access to job searches and career building websites prior to their release date.

“It has been proven that immediate access to employment reduces recidivism,” continued Turner. “This legislation helps move our system a step forward towards true reform with a system that seeks rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals rather than retribution.”

Additionally, as a member of the Illinois House Revenue & Finance Committee, Turner has been instrumental in gaming expansion negotiations for the state of Illinois, which will help to bring additional funding to capital projects.

“As a member of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, I have made it a priority to work on plans to diversify the gaming industry, ensuring that black business owners and entrepreneurs have a chance to be a part of this venture,” said Turner.  “While there is much more work to be done to get Illinois back on track, I am proud to have been a part of these efforts to move our state and community forward.”

For more information, please contact Turner’s constituent service office at 773-277-4700 or arthurt@ilga.gov.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This legislative session, state Rep. Marcus Evans, D-Chicago, fought for a Fair Tax, new jobs in our community and reforms to an outdated criminal justice system.

Evans backed a Fair Tax system for Illinois that would let the residents of Illinois vote to amend the state constitution, provide tax relief for 97% of taxpayers.

“The status quo stacks the deck against our families, while giving the ultra-wealthy a free pass,” Evans said. “With a Fair Tax we can finally makes the wealthy pay their fair share in Illinois, while providing vital funding for our neighborhood schools, critical programs like childcare assistance, early intervention programs, and new job training initiatives.”

As Chairman of the House Labor Committee, Evans fought for a living wage, to create jobs in our neighborhoods and ensure that minorities are not discriminated against when seeking employment. Evans was a chief sponsor of legislation, Senate Bill 1, to raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $15.

“We need to be doing more to create good-paying jobs and spur economic growth, especially in lower income areas,” Evans said. “By raising the minimum wage to a living wage, expanding job training programs and investing in companies that create jobs in Illinois, we can help reduce crime and revitalize our neighborhoods.

Evans fought to pass numerous social justice reforms including a proposal making it illegal for law enforcement to target an individual based on race, Senate Bill 25.

“Our community has faced systemic racism for too long,” Evans said. “I fought to change our broken criminal justice system that unfairly targets residents in our area.”

“We took real steps this session to build a stronger foundation for our community, but there’s still more work to be done. I will always put our neighborhoods first and continue to work for better schools, new jobs and more economic opportunity in our neighborhoods.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill – Throughout the 2019 Legislative Session, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, advocated for middle-class families by supporting a Fair Tax, protected access to health care, backed commonsense gun safety legislation and fought for criminal justice reforms.

Slaughter voted in favor of the Fair Tax amendment, which would cut taxes for 99 percent of local families and require the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share. Middle-class families would also receive additional tax credits for each child to help ease the costs of living.

 “With a Fair Tax, Illinois will move away from a tax structure that benefits the wealthy and places an unfair burden on working families,” Slaughter said. “Implementing a fairer tax system that requires millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share will help provide needed relief to middle-class families while ensuring that critical services such as health care, education, and senior services are funded.”

In addition to voting for the Fair Tax amendment, Slaughter backed measures to protect health care coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and help keep health care costs from increasing. Slaughter sponsored Senate Bill 2026 to keep Illinois from reducing or eliminating coverage for pre-existing conditions required under the Affordable Care Act and supported House Bill 471 to prevent excessive health insurance rate hikes.

Slaughter, a strong advocate for women’s rights, also supported the Reproductive Health Act to protect a woman’s right to reproductive health care from the political crossfire of extreme, anti-woman politicians in Washington.

“Health care should be a right for every resident of Illinois, and we must do all we can to protect and expand access to the health care services we need,” Slaughter said. “The wellbeing of our community is one of my top priorities, and we must continue to work to implement measures that protect their health and safety.”

Slaughter further protected the wellbeing of residents by backing commonsense gun safety legislation that would close loopholes in the Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) system and keep dangerous firearms out of the wrong hands. He supported Senate Bill 1966, also known as the Fix the FOID Act that would ensure that violent criminals cannot legally obtain guns and help streamline the revocation process for law enforcement.

As the Chairman of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee, Slaughter also took steps to pass numerous criminal justice reform measures, including House Bill 1438, which legalizes recreational marijuana for adult use and offers expungement of records for persons arrested for possession charges. Slaughter also sponsored and passed House Bill 386 to require transparency from the Department of Corrections on assessments used for conditions of release as well as the use of electronic and GPS monitoring. In addition, Slaughter introduced House Bill 3061, which helps provide opportunities for those with non-violent criminal records to more easily apply for health care worker license. Slaughter also introduced House Bill 3349 to improve outdated water and sewer infrastructure while providing jobs to underserviced communities, and House Bill 2304 which establishes a youth oriented trades and skills program to help prepare young people from disadvantaged communities to earn valuable and rewarding skills.

 “It is critical that we expand access to new jobs for those who are working toward a better future and create job training programs for underserved communities,” Slaughter said. “Legalizing cannabis and allowing for the expungement of nonviolent offenses will help people pursue opportunities and contribute to making Illinois a better, more prosperous state.

“My commitment to our community means taking steps to fix our criminal justice system, creating economic opportunity, protecting and expanding access to health care and providing needed tax relief to middle-class families. There is more work to be done, and I will continue fighting for the needs of our community while working to build a stronger Illinois by building a stronger middle class.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper led a major overhaul of Illinois’ sentencing laws through the Illinois House, expanding opportunities for alternative sentences and easing reliance on unfair mandatory minimum sentences.

“It’s time for a ‘smart on crime’ approach that reserves our prisons for offenders who pose a threat to public safety,” said Harper. “Those better served by rehabilitation and restorative justice should have that opportunity.”

Harper sponsored House Bill 1587, which would create new sentencing standards to lessen the state’s reliance on mandatory minimum sentences. The bill allows judges to sentence individuals to probation, conditional discharge or other non-imprisonment forms of justice less than a mandatory minimum if an individual does not pose a risk to public safety. Courts can only apply an alternative sentence if an offense involves drug possession, retail theft or driving on a revoked license. Courts are barred from applying this reform to sex offenses or violent crimes and judges must state on the record the reasoning for deviating from a mandatory minimum. Data from the Brennan Center for Justice shows that states with similar reforms, such as Connecticut, Ohio, and South Carolina, have seen crime rates drop over 20 percent.

“We’ve seen how a so-called ‘tough on crime’ approach to criminal justice takes a staggering toll on communities of color without making anyone safer,” Harper added. “Smart sentencing reform will make our communities safer and our responses to crime more equitable and just.”