Jobs for Good Illinois Ex - Cons

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The purpose of this petition is to encourage the passing of Illinois House Bill 2475, an act concerning human rights, blanket restrictions based on conviction record. The bill states that unless otherwise authorized by law, it is a civil rights violation for any employer, employment agency, or labor organization to refuse to hire a qualified ex-offender solely because the qualified ex-offender has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses, or by reason of a finding of lack of good moral character when the finding is based solely upon the fact that the qualified ex-offender has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses, with three explicit exceptions.

There are several reasons that this particular bill would prove beneficial to the economic needs of our disadvantaged communities with regards to acquiring stable income.

1. There have recently been an overwhelming number of articles and stories done on Illinois unemployment statistics and crime rate correlations. As an example, in 2008 the South Shore neighborhood statistics showed nine of ten African American men between the ages 16 to 55 were not legally employed as a main source of income. Eight of the nine unemployed residents were ex-offenders, and within five years of their most previous release from penal custody, committed crimes of economic disparity. This trend continues throughout Illinois economically disadvantaged neighborhoods due to the fact that ex-offenders are over looked for reasonable employment opportunities. Passing this bill would aide in solving recidivism by getting those ex-offenders who are eligible into the economic system in a more time-efficient manner.

2. It costs the people of Illinois a great deal of money each year in taxes to pay for prisons and the well being of prisoners. Passing this bill would cut down on the cost of maintaining prisons due to the simple fact that less prisoners would be re-incarcerated in the system over time, meaning there would be less prisoners in a facility at one time to pay for.

3. The families of ex-offenders suffer just as much if not more than the ex-offenders themselves. Ex-offenders are unable to help in supporting their families while they are unemployed. They often desire to work, but the opportunities are few and often not substantial enough to adequately provide for their home to help with the bills and survival. This forces more families to live in government-funded housing and receive assistance such as TANF and Food Stamps, costing the state more money. By getting those eligible ex-offenders out of the system and equal employment opportunities at a faster rate, families would have a better chance of surviving on their own rather than receiving government assistance.

Notice that throughout this proposal, I have mentioned the word eligible in describing the ex-offenders. I am not suggesting that all ex-offenders receive blanket restrictions based on conviction record. I completely agree that some ex-offenders may not be deserving of blanket restrictions. However, those ex-offenders who remain 7 years free by observing all laws, working efficiently and voluntarily to improve their communities, and taking educational courses to better themselves should be awarded the opportunity to equal employment opportunities in a timelier manner and have a chance to redeem themselves in the outside world.

Please pass Illinoiss House Bill 2475 an act concerning human rights, blanket restrictions based on conviction record, not only as a benefit to struggling ex-offenders and their families, but also to the State of Illinois.

72 Signatures

LaVont'e A. Stewart Sr
- Comments
- Second chances
- E mail Address
- lstewart@lostboyzinc.com
- Political Party
- Democratic
Credell Walls
michelle walker
- Address; Zip Code
- 60617
Wanda Dillon-Stewart
- Address; Zip Code
- 9756 S. Merrill 60617
- Political Party
- Democratic
Carolyn Dixon
- Political Party
- Democratic
Michelle
- Comments
- Second chance please
- Political Party
- Democrat
Deniece M Rogers
Dashaya Craig
- Address; Zip Code
- 6734 S Clyde Ave 60649
Margaret Craig
- Address; Zip Code
- 6228 S Langley Bsmnt 60637
Kayla Craig
- Address; Zip Code
- 6734 S Clyde Ave 60649
Kimberly Adams
- Address; Zip Code
- 9029 S Luella 60619
Jameelah Walker
- Address; Zip Code
- 8335 S Kingston 60617
Edgar Craig
- Address; Zip Code
- 2027 E 72nd place 60649
Charles Minefee
- Address; Zip Code
- 6849 S Clyde 2a 60649
Essie Fox
- Address; Zip Code
- 7927 S Paxton 60649
Horace Wells
- Address; Zip Code
- 8425 S Essex ave 60617
Sheila Ellenbogen
Terri Garrett
- Comments
- this is so neccesary
Terrence Newsome
- Address; Zip Code
- 1032 South Spring Av, LaGrange, IL 60525
- E mail Address
- tmn6881@gmail.com
- Political Party
- Rebublican
Jesse Nicholson
- Comments
- Ex-cons need to be given a chance to work
- Address; Zip Code
- 1020 8th Avenue, 60525
- E mail Address
- jnamn1202@msn.com
- Political Party
- Democratic Party
Alphonso Thomas
- Comments
- what is the best way of sharing this to a mass of people? Liazon for Communities
- Address; Zip Code
- 3520 Drawbridge Parkway apt. 109-G
- E mail Address
- pathways2success2@yahoo.com
- Political Party
- socialist
Rachel Wright
- Address; Zip Code
- po box 718
Sandra Seabright
- Address; Zip Code
- 2950 kane rd. Leland, il 60531
MARSHA
- Comments
- I totally agree with this petition and I back it up 100\%. I agree that without adequate jobs that crime will continue to be on the rise and the recidivism rate for repeat offenders will continue to increase especially without the proper tools for ex-felons to be integrated back into society. There are a lot of ex-felons who want to work and want to better themselves but are denied a chance because of their past criminal backgrounds. So, I am all for a Bill that will help in the support of companies hiring ex-felons if they are qualified to do the job. It should be solely based on their qualifications and what they are doing at the present time, not what happened in the past especially if they have been rehabilitated.
- Address; Zip Code
- 60527
- Political Party
- none
Monique
- Address; Zip Code
- 506 S Lockwood
- E mail Address
- mikya222000@yahoo.com
christopher c mcbee
- Address; Zip Code
- 2834 w palmer st , apt #201,chi.il 60647
- Political Party
- dem
Kenneth Moutry
- Comments
- Certified Welder (unemployed no chance)
- Address; Zip Code
- 60409
- E mail Address
- kennethmoutry@yahoo.com
cissy lawrence
alana sahli
- Comments
- I do not live in Illinois but I do agree with this legislation. I feel that all states should have similar legislation put in place.
Jean Walker
- Address; Zip Code
- 60619
Mark Bjelalnd
- Comments
- pass the bill
- Address; Zip Code
- 61107
theresa white
Jamal Harmon
Shante Harris
Rayshon Hannon
Natalia Ellis
- Political Party
- Democratic
Patrick Thompson
- Address; Zip Code
- 61822
Mark Enslin
- Comments
- Evreyone benefits if the state puts resources toward education and employment of people who for whatever reason have become entangled in the criminal justice system.
- Address; Zip Code
- Urbana, IL, 61801
Brian Dolinar
- Comments
- В
- Address; Zip Code
- 61801
- E mail Address
- В
- Political Party
- В
Chris Evans
Antonia Darder
- Comments
- В
- Address; Zip Code
- 61874
- E mail Address
- В
- Political Party
- В
Durl Kruse
Vicki
Anne Parsons
Heather Ault
Barbara Kessel
- Comments
- This is so much needed and would help our economy.
- Address; Zip Code
- 61801
Gail Warner
- Comments
- My brother was in jail for many days. He deserves the right to work and support his family. Breaks my heart that so many want to work and can't find employment due to a mistake in their past.
- Address; Zip Code
- Mason, IL 62443
Sam Hofmeister
- Address; Zip Code
- 61801
David Green
- Address; Zip Code
- 61820
Mary Winemiller
- Address; Zip Code
- 501 W Church St Champaign, IL 61820

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