Peters’ recidivism reduction measure clears Senate

Legislation requires IDOC to provide information to soon-to-be-released incarcerated people

SPRINGFIELD – This Monday, the Illinois Senate approved a measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that would provide information to returning citizens from state prisons in an effort to reduce recidivism rates.

“One of the major contributors to recidivism rates is continued instability after an incarcerated person is released,” Peters said. “If these folks are denied the right to live their best lives, they may face challenges that risk further destabilization. Reentering citizens need not just proper services and support, but information on how they can go about obtaining them.”

House Bill 3235 would require the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide information about various topics, including obtaining an ID card, voter registration, job listings, available housing, and any other information the department believes could help prevent recidivism to an incarcerated person no later than 45 days prior to their scheduled release from the IDOC system.

Read more: Peters’ recidivism reduction measure clears Senate

Cunningham plan gives breweries and meaderies more options to reach customers

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Bill Cunningham passed a plan out of the Illinois Senate that would allow small breweries, meaderies, and winemakers to distribute their products to local bars, grocery stores, and liquor stores directly rather than through a third party, helping local businesses reach their customers.

“We’ve seen an explosion of small beer, wine, and mead makers in recent years, and they’ve become staples of our local bar and restaurant scene,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “People want to be able to buy their products at local grocery and liquor stores, and we should make that easier to do.”

Under current Illinois law, most companies that produce alcohol have to sell their products to local grocery and liquor stores through a third-party distributor. Tracing back to the post-prohibition era, this set up is meant to help prevent the unregulated sale of alcohol and aid in the collection of alcohol-related taxes. It is still employed by almost every state in the U.S.

Read more: Cunningham plan gives breweries and meaderies more options to reach customers

Belt's plan to ensure fair pay for automotive technicians passes General Assembly

SPRINGFIELD – Technicians will be entitled to fairer compensation thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that passed the General Assembly Sunday.

“This measure addresses the unjust approach many manufacturers take toward paying technicians,” Belt said. “Technicians are often treated unfairly, and this ensures they'll be properly compensated for their hard work and expertise.”

Under House Bill 3940, manufacturers must pay dealerships the same effective labor rate as the dealership receives for customer-pay repairs. Currently, that's often not the case, even as technicians are using the same skills and expertise to perform what is effectively the same type of work.

Read more: Belt's plan to ensure fair pay for automotive technicians passes General Assembly

Gillespie social work education package heads to governor

SPRINGFIELD – Two measures introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) that would assist school social workers with earning their degrees and paying off their tuition advanced from both chambers of the General Assembly yesterday.

“These measures address both the student debt crisis and our shortage of professional, culturally competent social workers,” Gillespie said.

Senate Bill 661 would require the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to award up to 250 Post-Master of Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships each year. Scholarship recipients would be required to work at a public or not-for-profit P-12 school in Illinois for at least two of the five years immediately following their graduation.

Read more: Gillespie social work education package heads to governor