Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0290

HR0290 LRB104 13398 MST 25742 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Second Chance Month is observed each April to raise awareness of the barriers faced by individuals with criminal records and to highlight the importance of second chances in strengthening families, communities, and the economy; and

WHEREAS, As of March 2025, Illinois had a labor force participation rate of 64.9% and an unemployment rate of 4.8%, exceeding the national average of 4.2%, while simultaneously facing severe worker shortages across key sectors; and

WHEREAS, These shortages impact vital industries, including construction, where over 20% of the skilled workforce is projected to retire, healthcare, where providers report significant gaps in staffing, and education, which faces critical shortages in special education, bilingual education, and school leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, The agriculture sector, vital to Illinois' economy and food security, continues to struggle with labor availability in both farming and processing operations; and

WHEREAS, These persistent shortages pose a substantial risk to the long-term economic resilience, infrastructure stability, and competitiveness of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Removing outdated barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from accessing meaningful employment offers a practical, evidence-based solution to expand the labor pool, support reentry, and promote public safety; and

WHEREAS, Second chance policies promote successful reintegration by enabling access to employment, housing, education, and entrepreneurship, thereby reducing recidivism and advancing economic inclusion; and

WHEREAS, Second Chance Month provides an opportunity to affirm the value of fair chance policies and practices in building stronger communities and a more inclusive economy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2025 as Second Chance Month in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage leaders in both the public and private sectors to adopt policies that remove unnecessary barriers to employment and reintegration for individuals with criminal records; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Governor of Illinois as a call to action in support of second chances and workforce reintegration efforts statewide.