HR0747 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0747 LRB097 16043 RLC 61196 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The costs of housing prisoners in the Illinois Penitentiary System and county jails are a tremendous burden on the Illinois taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, The recidivism rate among prisoners in the Illinois correctional system is about 54%; and

WHEREAS, Many persons sentenced to prison or jail have the potential of rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, Service in the Armed Forces of the United States and the Illinois National Guard by persons who would otherwise be sentenced to prison or jail would be a more productive alternative for these persons; and

WHEREAS, The Armed Forces of the United States and the Illinois National Guard promote self-respect and enhance a person's ability to serve the remainder of his or her life as a productive citizen; and

WHEREAS, A Second Chance Task Force should be created to study military service as an alternative to imprisonment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the House create the Second Chance Task Force to study military service as an alternative to imprisonment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of 8 members as follows:

(1) 4 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(2) 4 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall choose its chair and other officers and shall meet at the call of the chair; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall receive the assistance of the Department of Military Affairs and such other persons as it deems appropriate and shall report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives by December 31, 2012.