HR0154LRB101 05503 SLF 50518 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In 2016, the law changed and possession of up to
310 grams of marijuana in Illinois became a civil matter rather
4than a criminal one; and
 
5    WHEREAS, This change did not address those who had already
6been convicted of possession of small amounts of marijuana; and
 
7    WHEREAS, To create stronger pathways to employment for all
8citizens of the State, legislators need to examine the damage
9over-criminalization has caused, specifically the
10disproportionate effect on people of color; and
 
11    WHEREAS, According to a 2013 report from the American Civil
12Liberties Union, African-Americans in Illinois are more than 7
13times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession; and
 
14    WHEREAS, To help nonviolent offenders rehabilitate and
15have a better chance of getting a job, expunging low-level
16convictions of marijuana possession allows people to tell
17prospective employers that they have a clean criminal record;
18and
 
19    WHEREAS, In addition to the financial benefit of more
20citizens able to achieve full employment, eliminating the

 

 

HR0154- 2 -LRB101 05503 SLF 50518 r

1prosecution of pending low level marijuana charges allows for
2the reallocation of resources and with a focus on serious
3cases, the safety and security of all residents is improved;
4therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
6HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
7we urge every State's Attorney in this State to throw out all
8pending low-level marijuana charges and review low-level
9marijuana charges that resulted in conviction and
10incarceration to help offer residents a path to employment and
11in the process be able to utilize our resources for the benefit
12of the citizens of the State.