SJ0015 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0015 LRB099 10126 MST 31396 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Joint Criminal Justice Reform Committee was a bicameral, bipartisan committee created by House Joint Resolution 96 the 98th General Assembly to examine the Illinois criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS, The Committee was tasked with examining the impact of the current sentencing structure, ensuring that the enforcement and punishment of crimes do not disproportionately or unfairly affect certain racial, ethnic, or minority groups, and developing solutions to address the issues that exist within the Illinois criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS, The Committee held several public hearings regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system and the current sentencing schemes, receiving testimony from State and county agencies, national policy organizations, advocacy groups, and community organizations; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to House Joint Resolution 96, the Committee timely submitted its report to the Illinois General Assembly on December 1, 2014, outlining the activities of the Committee and topic areas stemming from public hearings which require further consideration; and

WHEREAS, The Committee expired upon the adjournment of the 98th General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Committee recognize that the issue of sentencing reform is so vast that 6 months did not allow the necessary consideration of all aspects; members are committed to continuing to examine the criminal justice and propose reform; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Joint Criminal Justice Reform Committee shall be recreated; it shall consist of 14 members of the General Assembly appointed as follows: (1) 4 members appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom shall serve as a Co-Chairperson; (2) 4 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall serve as Co-Chairperson; (3) 3 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and (4) 3 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee shall meet at least 3 times during each legislative session of the 99th General Assembly to discuss recommendations for legislative proposals; during the 2015 legislative session, the first meeting shall take place no later than February 28, 2015; the second meeting shall take place no later than April 10, 2015; and the third meeting shall take place no later than May 15, 2015; and be it further

RESOLVED, That during the 2016 legislative session, the first meeting shall take place no later than the last session day of February 2016; the second meeting shall take place no later than March 31, 2016; and the third meeting shall take place no later than May 15, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee may hold public hearings, at the call of the Co-Chairpersons, to receive further testimony regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the Illinois criminal justice system and the impact of the current sentencing scheme; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee shall submit a preliminary report to the General Assembly no later than May 31, 2015; the Committee shall submit a final report no later than May 31, 2016.