100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB0698

 

Introduced , by Rep. Robert Martwick

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
See Index

    Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Law. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot project to be instituted within the Department of Corrections. Provides that the goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to provide inmates with useful business skills for use after release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for self-motivated individuals. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and participants shall be taught business skills, such as computer skills, budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking, and realistic goal setting. Provides that inmates who successfully complete the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Establishes eligibility requirements for the Program. Provides that subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program may establish post-release assistance to individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion. Provides that post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover letter, searching for employment, networking events, or mock interviews. Provides that the funding for the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys appropriated to the Department of Corrections for this purpose. Provides that the Article is repealed 5 years after its effective date. Effective immediately.


LRB100 07831 RLC 17899 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB0698LRB100 07831 RLC 17899 b

1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Unified Code of Corrections is amended by
5adding Article 12.5 to Chapter III as follows:
 
6    (730 ILCS 5/Ch. III Art. 12.5 heading new)
7
ARTICLE 12.5. PRISONER ENTREPRENEUR EDUCATION PROGRAM

 
8    (730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-1 new)
9    Sec. 3-12.5-1. Short title. This Article may be cited as
10the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Law.
 
11    (730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-5 new)
12    Sec. 3-12.5-5. Purpose; Program. The Prisoner Entrepreneur
13Education Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot
14project to be instituted within the Department of Corrections.
15The goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to
16provide inmates with useful business skills for use after
17release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for
18self-motivated individuals. The Prisoner Entrepreneur
19Education Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and
20participants shall be taught business skills, such as computer
21skills, budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking,

 

 

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1and realistic goal setting. Inmates who successfully complete
2the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a
3Certificate of Completion.
 
4    (730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-10 new)
5    Sec. 3-12.5-10. Selection. Inmates may be selected to
6participate in the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program
7only if all of the following conditions are met:
8    (1) the inmate is within 3 years of being released from
9custody of the Department of Corrections;
10    (2) the inmate has not been disciplined by the Department
11of Corrections within the past year;
12    (3) the inmate has a high school diploma or GED;
13    (4) the inmate has never been convicted of an offense
14described in Article 11 of the Criminal Code of 2012 or a
15similar offense under the Criminal Code of 1961;
16    (5) the inmate is not currently affiliated with a gang; and
17    (6) the inmate is committed to personal change.
 
18    (730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-15 new)
19    Sec. 3-12.5-15. Post-release assistance. Subject to
20appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner
21Entrepreneur Education Program may establish post-release
22assistance to individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion.
23Post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover
24letter, searching for employment, networking events, or mock

 

 

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1interviews.
 
2    (730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-20 new)
3    Sec. 3-12.5-20. Power of Department. The Department of
4Corrections shall adopt rules as the Director deems necessary
5to carry out the purposes of this Article.
 
6    (730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-25 new)
7    Sec. 3-12.5-25. Funding. The funding for the Prisoner
8Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys
9appropriated to the Department of Corrections for this purpose.
 
10    (730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-30 new)
11    Sec. 3-12.5-30. Repeal. This Article is repealed 5 years
12after its effective date.
 
13    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
14becoming law.

 

 

HB0698- 4 -LRB100 07831 RLC 17899 b

1 INDEX
2 Statutes amended in order of appearance
3    730 ILCS 5/Art. Ch. III
4    Art. 12.5 heading new
5    730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-1 new
6    730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-5 new
7    730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-10 new
8    730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-15 new
9    730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-20 new
10    730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-25 new
11    730 ILCS 5/3-12.5-30 new