HR0105 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0105 LRB101 08456 ALS 53531 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In the wake of a new federal law aimed at reducing incarcerations, a broad coalition of business groups is pledging to hire workers with criminal backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, The First Step Act, a new federal law focused on criminal justice reform, reduced prison terms for nonviolent drug offenses and gave judges more discretion in setting those sentences; the First Step Act eliminated the "three strikes" rule that imposed a mandatory life sentence for three or more drug convictions; and

WHEREAS, The Federal sentencing guidelines were created to allow for consistency and more transparency in the federal system; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois does not have strict sentencing guidelines, and charging decisions may range based on the county; ultimately, when sentencing, a state judge has more discretion than a Federal judge; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has created the Violent Crime Intelligence Task Force; led by the Department of the State Police, it will identify and utilize the best practices in drug-diversion programs and other community-based services to redirect low-level offenders; the task force aims to find ways to help low-level offenders integrate back into the community and to redirect those low-level offenders in a productive manner; and

WHEREAS, The State's efforts encourage lower recidivism rates and also encourage previous inmates to become productive, working citizens of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, This movement is led by billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, who has stated that "as business people, this is an opportunity to make the country better and help people improve their lives"; he believes that businesses have a responsibility to ensure former inmates have the opportunity to find a job and stay out of jail; and

WHEREAS, Following the Koch network initiative, businesses in Illinois should be helping to create opportunities for former inmates in the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage businesses owners in the State of Illinois to recruit and to hire qualified candidate workers with criminal pasts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, and the Illinois Manufacturers' Association.