Section 425.40  Religious Practice Advisory Board

a)         The Director shall appoint a multi-denominational Religious Practice Advisory Board comprised of legal, administrative, and chaplaincy staff.  One of the members of the Board shall be designated as chairperson.

b)         The Board shall, among other matters:

1)         Provide guidance to the Department regarding religious activities.

2)         Review and make recommendations regarding designated:

A)        Religious grievances filed by committed persons;

B)        Requests from committed persons for religious diets, non-traditional religious symbols, headgear, clothing, and other religious items;

C)        Requests from committed persons for religious activities not currently offered at the correctional facility and for religious activities permitted under Section 425.60(f);

D)        Requests from committed persons for relief from a work assignment or institutional program for specific religious reasons; and

E)        Issues involving the training, screening, and reimbursement of religious volunteers.

c)         The Board shall confer with religious leaders or faith representatives from various faith groups regarding the validity and legitimacy of the religious request and the sincerity of the committed persons' beliefs, as the Board determines necessary.

(Source:  Added at 19 Ill. Reg. 6515, effective May 1, 1995)