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Gov. Rauner signs more criminal justice reform bills

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Governor Bruce Rauner today signed five bills aimed at reforming Illinois’ criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation to reduce recidivism and help low level offenders find a brighter future. This package of bills specifically helps young people who have fallen on hard times find the help they need to get on a better track.

“We need to approach our criminal justice system with more compassion,” said Governor Rauner. “I want those who did something wrong to face punishment, but we must make sure that the punishment fits the crime. We need to explore new avenues so that we’re balancing punishment with rehabilitation and not needlessly tearing families and lives apart.”

This is the latest step in the Rauner administration’s attempt to reform the criminal justice system in Illinois. Within the first month of the administration, Governor Rauner created the Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform. Its job was to create recommendations that would transform Illinois’ justice system to make it more responsive to the people it served, while also cutting down on the unnecessary incarcerations and costs. These bills, coupled with administrative changes, make reforms in the criminal justice system that will help safely reduce the number of prison admissions, the length of prison stays and reduce recidivism by increasing the chances of successful re-entry.

“Governor Rauner set out to make Illinois a more compassionate state and he is making good on that initiative,” said Illinois Department of Corrections Director John Baldwin. “Today’s bills will help ensure that we are giving young men and women a second chance at life. Instead of focusing on the past, we are attempting to rehabilitate people who have been incarcerated and create opportunities for low level offenders to build a future.”

SB 3164 requires review of a pre-sentencing report, as well as an explanation of why incarceration is appropriate for offenders with no prior probation sentences or prison convictions prior to sentencing. Last year, nearly 60 percent of new prison admissions for Class 3 or 4 felonies had no prior convictions for violent crimes. Sending low-level offenders with no prior probation or other convictions inefficiently uses prison resources and potentially makes low-level offenders more susceptible to reoffending. This legislation was sponsored by Sen. Michael Connelly and Rep. Brian Stewart and was a recommendation made by the Governor’s Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform.

HB 6291 amends the Juvenile Court Act to change the minimum probation period for a youth adjudicated delinquent. The purpose of the bill is to help bring Illinois in line with other states and the latest research by reducing mandatory minimum lengths of probation and treating low level offenses with treatment. This ensures that youth struggling with addictions will have the opportunity to go through the treatment process before being sent to prison.

HB 5017 allows a juvenile to immediately petition the court for expungement when he or she is charged with an offense that is dismissed without a finding of delinquency. Under current law, the statute only allows for a petition of expungement when the youth has reached the age of 18. This bill will help youth who were arrested but not charged get a fresh start and clear their names.

HB 6200 addresses per minute rates of phone calls for inmates. The bill reduces the rate that the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice can contract for telephone providers.

SB 3005 amends the Park District Code to provide that a park district shall not knowingly employ a person who has been convicted of specified drug offenses until seven years following the end of a sentence imposed including periods of supervision or probation. The previous law stated that park districts could not employ any person convicted of the specified drug offenses. It furthermore scales pack prohibitions on employment for convictions of public indecency to Class 4 felonies.

More info is here.

Several Democrats were in attendance at today’s bill signing, including Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who criticized the governor’s veto of another bill, claiming he didn’t want to be seen as soft on crime.

* Related…

* Rauner signs Ammons bill to cut inmates’ phone costs

* ADDED: Blacks bear brunt of marijuana enforcement in Chicago

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 2:09 pm

Comments

All Good. So much more to do.

Comment by walker Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 2:12 pm
Legit credit to Rauner on these bills. Hopeful sign of a fantastic 2017.

Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 2:23 pm
Well, sure. Compassion is good. Rehabilitation is good.

The problem is that to actually improve outcomes for those involved in the criminal or juvenile justice systems, the state has to pay for programs that eliminate barriers and create access for the targeted population.

For example, HB 6291 is said to “ensure that youth struggling with addictions will have the opportunity to go through the treatment process before being sent to prison.”

A follow up step is required here– the state must fund the prevention infrastructure, in this case the “treatment process,” in order for youth to be successfully diverted.

This is good stuff. But to be great in implementation, the Governor has to realize that the word compassion often comes with a price tag. It rings hollow without the cash to back it up.

Comment by Who Else Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 2:35 pm
is there still a “pen letter” written for each person on their way to prison? those are an interesting read, penned by an ASA for the SAO as to why that person is going in.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 5:45 pm
So i was told that was they signed a bill to reduce prison percentage 85% to 50% and 50% stay 50%.and does that apply to all prisoners .

Comment by Goldie Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 11:08 pm
WONDERING IF THEY ARE GONNA CUT TIME FOR NON VIOLENT DRUG OFFENDERS? I SEE ALL THESE FEDERAL INMATES WHAT ABOUT STATE!

Comment by JEN Monday, Aug 29, 16 @ 9:31 am