HJ0014 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0014 LRB099 04028 GRL 26271 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Joint Criminal Justice Reform Committee ("Committee") was created as a special committee by House Joint Resolution 96 in the 98th General Assembly to examine the Illinois criminal justice system, examine the impact of the current sentencing structure, and discuss strategies for reform; and

WHEREAS, The Committee was a bicameral and bipartisan committee composed of members of the Illinois General Assembly that sought input from a wide range of stakeholders within the criminal justice community; and

WHEREAS, State and county agencies, advocates, and community organizations engaged the members of the Committee in discussions during public hearings from July of 2014 to December of 2014; and

WHEREAS, Discussions that took place during the Committee's hearings highlighted important issues regarding the growth of the adult corrections population, the unique issues presented with respect to juveniles involved in the criminal justice system, the impact that current laws have on Illinois communities and the justice-involved population, and policy changes across the nation that have proven effective in reducing costs and corrections populations in other states; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to House Joint Resolution 96, the Committee timely submitted a report to the Illinois General Assembly on December 1, 2014; following the Rules of the House of Representatives and the Senate for the 98th General Assembly, the Committee expired upon the adjournment of both chambers; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Committee recognize that the 6-month period in which the Committee was active could not allow for adequate consideration and understanding of the evidence-based methods that may address some of the issues that were presented to the Committee; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Committee remain committed to continuing productive discussions with stakeholders in the criminal justice community in order to develop comprehensive methods that are in the interest of the public safety and the public good of the State; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Committee recognize that it is equally important to ensure that it explores avenues to better educate the legislature at-large regarding sentencing policies; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we reconstitute the Joint Criminal Justice Reform Committee to continue to examine the impact of the current sentencing structure, ensure that the enforcement and punishment of crimes does not disproportionately or unfairly affect certain racial, ethnic, or minority groups, and develop solutions to address the issues that exist within the system; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee shall consist of 16 members of the General Assembly appointed as follows:

(1) 4 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall serve as co-chairperson;

(2) 4 members appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom shall serve as a co-chairperson;

(3) 4 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(4) 4 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee shall hold public hearings at the call of the co-chairpersons to receive testimony from the public regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the Illinois criminal justice system and the impact of the current sentencing scheme; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee shall make recommendations for legislation to the General Assembly no later than April 1, 2015.