99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB3833
 
Introduced , by Rep. Robert F. Martwick
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
New Act

     Creates the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Act.  Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education
Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot project to be
instituted within the Department of Corrections. Provides that the
goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to
provide inmates with useful business skills for use after
release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for
self-motivated individuals. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education
Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and participants
shall be taught business skills,  such as computer skills,
budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking, and
realistic goal setting. Provides that inmates who successfully complete the
Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a
Certificate of Completion. Establishes eligibility requirements for the Program. Provides that subject to
appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner Entrepreneur
Education Program may establish post-release assistance to
individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion. Provides that post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover letter,
searching for employment, networking events, or mock interviews.  Provides that the funding for the Prisoner
Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys appropriated
to the Department of Corrections for this purpose. Act shall be repealed 5 years after its effective date. Effective immediately.
  


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
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1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 
5Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Act.
 
6    Section 5. Purpose; Program.  The Prisoner Entrepreneur 
7Education
Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot 
8project to be
instituted within the Department of Corrections. 
9The
goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to

10provide inmates with useful business skills for use after

11release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for

12self-motivated individuals. The Prisoner Entrepreneur 
13Education
Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and 
14participants
shall be taught business skills,  such as computer 
15skills,
budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking, 
16and
realistic goal setting. Inmates who successfully complete 
17the
Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a

18Certificate of Completion.
 
19    Section 10. Selection.  Inmates may be selected to

20participate in the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program 
21only
if all of the following conditions are met:
22    (1) the inmate is within 3 years of being released
from 
 
 
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1custody of the Department of Corrections;
2    (2) the inmate has not been disciplined by the
Department 
3of Corrections within the past year;
4    (3) the inmate has a high school diploma or GED;
5    (4) the inmate has never been convicted of an offense

6described in Article 11 of the Criminal Code of
2012;
7    (5) the inmate is not currently affiliated with a gang;
and

8    (6) the inmate is committed to personal change.
 
9    Section 15. Post-release assistance. Subject to

10appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner 
11Entrepreneur
Education Program may establish post-release 
12assistance to
individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion. 
13Post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover 
14letter,
searching for employment, networking events, or mock 
15interviews.
 
16    Section 20. Power of Department.  The Department of

17Corrections shall adopt rules
as the Director deems necessary 
18to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
 
19    Section 25. Funding.  The funding for the Prisoner

20Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys 
21appropriated
to the Department of Corrections for this purpose.
 
22    Section 30. Expiration. This Act is repealed 5 years after 
 
 
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1its effective date.
 
 
2    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
3becoming law.