HR0753 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0753 LRB103 40559 MST 73098 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, For over a decade, GEO Reentry Services has hosted a community resource fair at its West Fulton Reentry Service Center in Chicago to help justice-involved individuals returning to society; and

WHEREAS, GEO Reentry Services has partnered with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)to host this community resource fair under IDOC and IDPH's Summit of Hope community expo program; and

WHEREAS, The Summit of Hope program brings together local social service providers to create a one-stop environment for parolees and probationers to obtain necessary assistance to move past barriers that can prevent an individual from leading a successful life; and

WHEREAS, The Summit of Hope, hosted by GEO Reentry Services' West Fulton Reentry Service Center, has grown to over 65 partnering organizations and vendors providing a variety of services to returning citizens; and

WHEREAS, GEO Reentry Services' West Fulton Reentry Service Center's Summit of Hope focuses on assisting returning citizens by providing services for substance abuse prevention, anger management treatment, employment readiness, housing access, HIV testing, domestic violence prevention, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acquiring state identification; and

WHEREAS, Reentry services provide individuals returning from incarceration critical services to transition productively back into society, helping reduce barriers to employment, preventing homelessness, improving health concerns, and improving public safety by reducing behaviors that can lead to recidivism and reincarceration; and

WHEREAS, GEO Reentry Services' West Fulton Reentry Service Center's 2024 Summit of Hope is scheduled for May 8, 2024 and is expected to serve nearly 500 returning citizens to help them obtain the assistance to move past involvement in the justice system; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend GEO Reentry Services' West Fulton Reentry Service Center for its dedicated work to ensure successful transitions back into society for people involved in the justice system in order to live productive and safe lives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to GEO Reentry Services' West Fulton Reentry Service Center, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Illinois Department of Public Health as a symbol of our respect and esteem.