Working in a coalition with Cabrini Green Legal Aid and Community Renewal Society, CCH’s Reentry Project visited Springfield multiple times this legislative session to advocate for House Bill 494, which would remove lifetime bars to work in or near schools for people with records.
As a result of the advocacy efforts, the bill passed both the House and Senate with strong support from both sides of the political aisle. The bill was sent to Gov. Rauner’s desk for consideration.
Sponsored by State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) in the House, the bill first passed out of the Elementary and Secondary Education: School Curriculum and Policies Committee on March 25. After that, our coalition negotiated amendments with the Illinois State Board of Education, including a requirement that the wait period for people convicted of drug offenses be seven years after completing probation or parole.
The amended bill passed out of committee on April 22. It was then passed out of the House on April 23, by a 66-47 vote. Continue reading Reentry jobs bill passes the Illinois Senate, heads to governor’s desk
Starting Oct. 1, as a part of the Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare,” more low-income adults across the U.S. are now eligible for Medicaid, a government health insurance program.
