Help Needed - a mental health crisis in our criminal justice system
On March 16, 2019 we held an event to bring a much needed voice to this issue: There is a mental health crisis in our country today. A crisis hidden within our criminal justice system. We have criminalized and exacerbated mental health issues by ignoring the needs of our people and causing more harm to those trapped by our criminal justice systems. We want to educate and agitate our faith community about these issues so that we can better contribute to movements working to abolish unjust systems. Listen to our panelists discuss Dr. Nathaniel Gilham: Clinical Director - Chicago Torture Justice Center Brian Nelson: Prisoners' Rights Coordinator/Investigator, Torture survivor - Uptown Peoples Law Center Jim Poole: Dir. Community Engagement - NAMI Chicago Monica Cosby: Lead Community Organizer - Women's Justice Institute Moderator: Dr. Shelby Wyatt: Counselor - Kenwood Brotherhood Inc. Questions:
|
Parole Reform
Working with Parole IL we are engaging congregations in learning about the needs and legislation that will (hopefully) be presented again in the future. (See information about HB 531 & HB 2039 to the right.)
In response to concerns raised by the State's Attorneys Association representative that people returning to our communities will not be welcomed we are encouraging congregation to review and sign on to a welcoming statement that can be sent to your legislators, State's Attorney and Governors office. This is a concrete way to show our support as a movement. You will also find an OpEd from Bill Ryan long time activist working for change in our criminal justice system.
Working with Parole IL we are engaging congregations in learning about the needs and legislation that will (hopefully) be presented again in the future. (See information about HB 531 & HB 2039 to the right.)
In response to concerns raised by the State's Attorneys Association representative that people returning to our communities will not be welcomed we are encouraging congregation to review and sign on to a welcoming statement that can be sent to your legislators, State's Attorney and Governors office. This is a concrete way to show our support as a movement. You will also find an OpEd from Bill Ryan long time activist working for change in our criminal justice system.
2018
These bills were before the IL legislative body for the 2018 season. Please follow the bills by the clickable titles and contact your legislators through http://www.ilga.gov/
APPROVED - Gov. Rauner SIGNED 8/20
PASS :: SB3388 Expand Alternatives to Incarceration!
SB3388 expands eligibility for Adult Redeploy Illinois to all probation-eligible individuals, not just those charged with so-called “nonviolent” offenses. This bill will help decrease the reliance on incarceration and decrease overcrowding in IL prisons
STALLED - In House rules committee
OPPOSE :: SB1980 Will Increase Pretrial Incarceration
SB1980, pushed by Sheriff Dart, is an ineffective bail reform effort and will simply expand the power of sheriff’s and courts to keep people incarcerated.
Is stalled in the Rules Committee of the House.
VETO - Gov Rauner added Amendments
PASS :: HB5104 End Medical Fees for Prisoners!
HB5104 eliminates the dangerous and costly barriers created by fees assessed to prisoners for medical care. Additionally, this bill restricts the profit prisons are allowed to make off of commissary items, like toothpaste and underwear, that prisoners are forced to purchase.
STALLED - In House rules committee
PASS :: HB5334 Background Fairness Act!
HB5334 requires that there must be a direct relationship between job duties and conviction history in order to deny an individual employment based on their previous convictions. This bill also provides people with the ability to sue companies who violate the law.
Is stalled in the Rules Committee of the House. May be considered in the fall.
The Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois encourages congregations and UUs across the state to get involved in policy work to alleviate some of the harm the criminal legal system inflicts.
Other relevant legislation from our partners at UUANI:
These bills were before the IL legislative body for the 2018 season. Please follow the bills by the clickable titles and contact your legislators through http://www.ilga.gov/
APPROVED - Gov. Rauner SIGNED 8/20
PASS :: SB3388 Expand Alternatives to Incarceration!
SB3388 expands eligibility for Adult Redeploy Illinois to all probation-eligible individuals, not just those charged with so-called “nonviolent” offenses. This bill will help decrease the reliance on incarceration and decrease overcrowding in IL prisons
STALLED - In House rules committee
OPPOSE :: SB1980 Will Increase Pretrial Incarceration
SB1980, pushed by Sheriff Dart, is an ineffective bail reform effort and will simply expand the power of sheriff’s and courts to keep people incarcerated.
Is stalled in the Rules Committee of the House.
VETO - Gov Rauner added Amendments
PASS :: HB5104 End Medical Fees for Prisoners!
HB5104 eliminates the dangerous and costly barriers created by fees assessed to prisoners for medical care. Additionally, this bill restricts the profit prisons are allowed to make off of commissary items, like toothpaste and underwear, that prisoners are forced to purchase.
STALLED - In House rules committee
PASS :: HB5334 Background Fairness Act!
HB5334 requires that there must be a direct relationship between job duties and conviction history in order to deny an individual employment based on their previous convictions. This bill also provides people with the ability to sue companies who violate the law.
Is stalled in the Rules Committee of the House. May be considered in the fall.
The Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois encourages congregations and UUs across the state to get involved in policy work to alleviate some of the harm the criminal legal system inflicts.
Other relevant legislation from our partners at UUANI:
- "Know your rights” Voting Act, HB4469. Affirms access to voting rights for pre-trial and post-incarceration people. PASSED BOTH HOUSES May 23 and is on the governor's desk.
- Fair Access to Employment (F.A.T.E.), HB5341. Provides that outstanding fees, fines, and court costs cannot stand in the way of determining that someone can have their criminal record sealed. SIGNED INTO LAW - August 2018
- “Dont ask” — criminal records on college apps, HB3142. Disallows public institutions of higher learning from asking about criminal history on applications. Passed House last year. Has good support in the Senate and Judiciary Committee recommends DO PASS.
- Juvenile justice: Period of detention, HB4473. Guarantees the right to a speedy hearing (within 24 hours) for juvenile detainees, and prescribes the use of detention as a last resort for juveniles. In Rules Committee since January.
- Juvenile justice: Age of detention, HB4543. Increases the age at which detention/lock-up may be mandated, from 10 years to 13 years; foster custody care will replace detention for 10-13 years. Provides further support services. In House Rules since April 2018. Has some good support.
2017
Several other important bills we advocated for were signed into law this legislative session in Illinois:
- HB2373 Expanding Eligibility for Sealing of felony records.
- HB 3817 Juvenile Expungement protecting youth in the juvenile justice system with timely expungement of their records
- HB3421 Abolishing Cash Bond in Illinois stalled in committee, though Cook County Chief Judge Evans ordered judges to set monetary bonds only in amounts that people can pay.
- HB 3142 Expanding Access to Higher Education for citizens returning from incarceration passed the House but stalled in the Senate.
- HB259 Limiting Solitary Confinement passed out of committee but was not brought to the floor for a vote.