* The number of bills the governor has signed on this particular topic is really quite amazing. Democratic governors would normally shy away from these bills to avoid being tagged as soft on crime. Rauner has no problem with them…
State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago 16th) is pleased to announce the governor has signed her legislation ending Illinois’ practice of discouraging parolees from worshipping, doing community service and participating in mentorship programs together.
“Freedom of association in positive settings can facilitate a smooth reentry into society and help those on parole obtain the help and resources they need to succeed outside the prison walls,” Collins said. “When parolees mentor and encourage each other, engage in job training together, worship or volunteer together, they can build up their peers and their communities.”
Current law prohibits individuals who are on parole, aftercare release or mandatory supervised release from knowingly associating with others who are also under one of these restrictions without the written permission of their parole agents or aftercare specialists. This limitation is designed to prevent ex-offenders from returning to former criminal associates or gangs, but Collins recognizes that the ban is over-broad and can prevent parolees from engaging in many positive activities, such as worship services, volunteerism and community activism.
“When offenders have completed their time behind bars, they must be reintegrated into our neighborhoods in ways that allow them to give back and pursue alternatives to crime,” Collins said. “Participation — alongside others with similar life stories — in a religious congregation, community service organization or mentoring program can serve as a powerful catalyst for purpose and change, and as we continue to struggle as a society with cycles of recidivism and violent crime, we must embrace creative solutions.”
Discuss.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:28 am:
Just curious- How many bill in the 99th session that Rauner has signed into law were either Democratically sponsored, or strongly co-sponsored by a D and an R? Just, in all the negativity of the budget et.al, these bills are a sign that people CAN work together!
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:29 am:
I applaud the governor for delving deep into criminal justice issues and taking on positions that politically could paint him into a corner that might not be truly reflective to what the big picture hopes to accomplish.
Taking absolutely zero away from this work and the governor’s role, actually it enhances the role…
… this is another instance that the financial wherewithal Rauner has will inoculate him from a serious challenge from the right, and will mute loud negative resonsese to these positions.
Grumbling? Maybe. Rauner can do all this because being the 800 lb gorilla is one thing, but having access to unlimited money give people more than pause just with the gorilla.
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:40 am:
Sometimes legislation just makes sense regardless of which party they’re aligned with.
- Anon - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:44 am:
===Just, in all the negativity of the budget et.al, these bills are a sign that people CAN work together!===
While I appreciate your optimism — I think it comes back down to the fact that the Governor is supposed to propose a balanced budget and never did.
Administrating the state is a lot different than writing laws.
- Gooner - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:25 am:
I repeatedly bash the Governor, but I have to give credit where credit is due.
This makes great sense. It is the entire idea behind things like AA. It is great that Sen. Collins raised the issue and it is wonderful that the Governor is giving it a chance.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:26 am:
Anon- All I’m saying (is give peace a chance…:), is that Rauner can support the legislative branch by signing meaningful bills, even if the bills were mainly a Democratic led bill. He didn’t propose it, nor did a “superstar”, but he also didn’t poison it. Now there are some, such as the senior assistance bill that he vetoed with provisions that are poison pills. Those, the GA will have to decide if they are willing to work together on overrides or not. If not, the Republicans will be the true deciding factor because there is not a working super-majority in the House.
- Ahoy! - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:27 am:
To me, it’s another example that shows that the Democrats should be able to work with this Governor if they really wanted to.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:36 am:
Ahoy- And, vice versa???
- d.p.gumby - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 12:49 pm:
Nixon in China…
- Anon - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 1:21 pm:
===Anon- All I’m saying (is give peace a chance…:)===
Again, I appreciate the sentiment, the optimism, and well meaning nature of your post and I understand why you have that hope — but as we speak Rauner has begun traveling the state with an improved message after a year and a half of horrendous harm to our institutions because he failed to deliver on his constitutional duties.
This bill and many of the others he signed is not a bellwether for the state’s financial crisis purposefully created so that the Governor could use it as leverage on a handful of issues.
I think you’re presenting a false analogy.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 2:09 pm:
Anon- If you’ve followed my posts over this past year, I am hardly a cheerleader for Rauner. All I am pointing out, is that he can support Democratic party legislation without destroying it. I am not naïve enough to believe his past actions aren’t going to continue, and possibly even intensify. But with this bill, and others, at least there is agreement- enough for a clean signature. It would be nice if more of this happens in the future. I haven’t drunk the Kool-Aid, but after the last couple of weeks of conventions (especially the RNC), I’m giving myself a day of hope to recharge.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 2:27 pm:
Anon- I think you fail to see my point. Rauner can work well with others if he has a mind to. He will leave a legacy behind him. It has already been written from the day he froze contracts and veto the FY16 budget. To paraphrase Mrs. Obama- “Does he go low, or does he go high?”
- Mama - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 2:43 pm:
What is the Public Act #?
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 3:01 pm:
Mama- the change is underlined about halfway down the Act
Public Act 099-0698
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0698&GA=99