SR1001 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1001 LRB103 40424 ECR 72740 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, America was founded on the promise of new beginnings; and

WHEREAS, Every year, more than 650,000 people are released from State and Federal prisons, some leaving with nothing more than a few dollars and a bus ticket to start their new lives; in total, over 70 million Americans have a criminal history record, potentially making it hard for them to secure a steady job, safe housing, affordable health care, a good education, or small business loans, all of which are important things to have when trying to build a good life; studies demonstrate that when these needs are met, not only are formerly incarcerated people empowered but crime is prevented and our communities are safer; and

WHEREAS, That is why, last year, the Biden Administration released a comprehensive strategic plan to improve the criminal justice system and strengthen public safety, including over 100 concrete actions that the Administration is taking to boost public safety by improving rehabilitation in jails and prisons, helping people rebuild their lives, and reducing unnecessary interactions with the criminal justice system so police officers can focus on fighting crime; and

WHEREAS, The Biden Administration has also invested nearly $1 billion in job training, addiction recovery, and reentry services across the country and has expanded access to Pell Grants so people can earn a college degree while they are incarcerated and can start over with new skills; the Administration is also helping formerly incarcerated people find good-paying jobs on projects to rebuild America funded by the historic infrastructure law and by expanding opportunities to serve in the Federal Government; and

WHEREAS, At the same time, the Biden Administration has taken historic steps to end America's failed approach to marijuana; incarceration for marijuana possession alone has destroyed too many lives, particularly for Black and Brown Americans who have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at higher rates than other racial and ethnic groups; in 2022, President Biden asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Attorney General Merrick Garland to start formally reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under Federal law; he has issued categorical pardons for people convicted for simple marijuana possession and use under Federal and D.C. law while urging governors to do the same on the State level; it is unethical for a person to be in jail or prison for using or possessing marijuana alone; and

WHEREAS, Meanwhile, the Biden Administration has made historic investments to expand access to mental health and substance use services; and

WHEREAS, The Biden Administration has also provided $400 million to prevent juvenile justice involvement and to make these systems more responsive to the needs of youth and over $3 billion in funding for education programs that provide support, services, and interventions to keep students positively engaged in their schools and communities; and

WHEREAS, By working together to improve the criminal justice system, our communities will be safer, stronger, and more just; these efforts will make families and communities whole and help grow our economy, giving everyone a fair chance; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April of 2024 as Second Chance Month in the State of Illinois as it is imperative to recommit to building a criminal justice system that lives up to the ideals of new beginnings so that people returning to their communities from jail or prison have a fair shot at the American Dream.