Summer 2025 Newsletter

Dear friends,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and staying as cool as possible.

This year, Restore Justice has continued to bring our work to life in new ways. In collaboration with our friends at Mud Theatre Project, we created Searching for Justice, a play that explores what justice means for people who are serving sentences under outdated laws. After the play’s sold-out debut at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, we brought a performance of Searching for Justice to Springfield for an audience of legislators.

This summer, we are partnering with Walls Turned Sideways to co-create a quilt, a collective community portrait honoring our loved ones inside. With the help of a fiber artist, families are creating squares representing their loved ones who are incarcerated; the completed quilt will hang in community spaces as a reminder of you, the people we’re fighting for.

2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of Restore Justice. Since our founding in 2015, we have helped craft and pass meaningful reforms each year, while engaging hundreds of families, people who were formerly incarcerated, and allies in support groups and advocacy activities. At our annual luncheon this fall, we will celebrate a decade of advocacy, community, and transformation.

We’re thrilled to share that James Swansey has been promoted to Associate Policy Director. James joined the Restore Justice team in February 2021 as a Future Leaders Apprentice. James returned home in December 2020 after serving 28 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Incarcerated in 1993 at the age of 18, James originally received a sentence of natural life without the possibility of parole plus an additional 30 years. He received a new sentence through court cases about youth sentencing.

Since joining the Restore Justice staff, James is most proud of becoming a registered Illinois lobbyist and working in Springfield to ensure passage of legislation that will create more meaningful pathways to release for some of the people he once served time with. James has become a fixture of the Capitol, recognized for his dedication by colleagues and lawmakers. He leads Restore Justice’s advocacy trainings and Advocacy Team, inspiring and equipping community members and returning citizens to advocate for policy changes. Congratulations, James!

The 104th General Assembly began with the inauguration on January 8, 2025. During the following five months of legislative session, state legislators passed over 400 bills. Lackluster revenue projections and the threat of federal funding cuts, coupled with unresolved negotiations about public transportation and energy were the prevailing themes of the spring legislative session.

This newsletter highlights bills of interest for you. You will also find information about how you and/or your loved ones can get involved, an overview of how a bill becomes a law, information about our current bills, updates on other bills that could impact you, answers to some of your frequently asked questions, and updates from our team. Please continue to write to us with your questions or send a note to say, “hello.” We read every letter and love hearing from you.

The General Assembly has scheduled the fall Veto Session for October 14 to October 16, and October 28 through October 30, 2025. Veto Session is the next time state legislators are scheduled to be in session and take action on pending bills. We will cover the results of the Veto Session in our next newsletter.

 

CONTACTING IDOC FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

Encourage your loved ones to share their concerns, including but not limited to visiting (video and in-person), mail, lockdowns, medical issues, and any other infractions they experience or witness, with IDOC’s family liaison and the Constituent Services Office.

Your loved ones can reach the liaison by emailing DOC.Constituent.Services@illinois.gov or calling (217) 558-2200 ext. 6226. If they contact the family liaison, please let Restore Justice know about their experience by writing to hello@restorejustice.org.

 

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW IN ILLINOIS 

The Illinois General Assembly, which includes the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives, usually convenes in Springfield twice each year.

The first period is known as the “regular session” and takes place from January through May. Generally, bills considered during the regular session need only a simple majority vote to pass. That means it takes 30 votes in the state Senate and 60 votes in the state House for a bill to pass. Most legislators try to get their bills passed during this time.

The second period, or “veto session,” happens for two weeks in or around October and November. Usually, the first order of business during the veto session is addressing any bills the Governor vetoed during the summer. However, the House and Senate can, and often do, take up new items. It is more challenging to pass a bill with an immediate effective date during the veto session because it requires a supermajority vote to pass in each chamber; that is, 36 votes in the Senate and 71 votes in the House.

Bills can originate in either chamber (Senate or House). If a state senator introduces a bill in the Senate and it passes, it goes to the House. If a state representative introduces a bill in the House and it passes, it then goes to the Senate. The bill number stays the same in both chambers. The Illinois Constitution requires bills to be read into the record by title on three different days before a vote can be taken. Along the way, a committee considers a bill in each chamber that invites expert witnesses to hearings and reviews relevant research. If a bill is amended (changed) in the second chamber, it has to be voted on “concurrence” (agreed) again in the original chamber to “concur” with the changes.

Once a bill passes both chambers, it goes to the Governor. The Governor then has four options: (1) Sign the bill into law, (2) do nothing, in which case the bill automatically becomes a law after 60 days, (3) reject the bill entirely (this is a “veto”), or (4) issue an “amendatory veto” to suggest a small change to the bill. Legislators can reconsider the bill during the veto session if the Governor vetoes a bill or does an amendatory veto.

Bills only become law if they pass both chambers and are approved by the governor. While some bills may take effect immediately after being signed into law, most bills have specific dates they become effective. Bills can include a specific date (such as “effective immediately” or “on November 1, 2025). Bills that don’t have effective dates become law based on when they pass; bills passed before or on May 31 take effect on January 1 of the following year. Bills that pass on June 1 or after take effect on June 1 of the next year.

Each General Assembly cycle lasts two years. At the end of the two-year General Assembly, the legislature usually convenes in early January for a “lame-duck” session and considers any legislation that has not passed yet. It’s called this because some lawmakers who return for this session will not be in the next General Assembly and are informally called “lame duck” members. The lame duck session took place in early January of this year.

We are currently in the first year of the 104th General Assembly. Every odd-numbered year, a new General Assembly is convened. This means that all the bills from the 103rd General Assembly that did not pass both chambers are considered “dead” and must be refiled. If they are refiled, they will receive new numbers.

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

January-May 2025 Legislative Spring Session Updates

Key for bill statuses below: For a bill to become law, the bill has to pass through a committee and the floor of each chamber. After a bill passes both chambers, it is sent to the Governor. Bills that did not advance during the regular 2025 spring session are indicated below and might be considered later during this General Assembly. Please note that 2025 legislative initiatives and bills of interest are pending in the Illinois General Assembly and may be amended or changed. The chief bill sponsors for each chamber are noted below after the bill numbers.

*PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW – This bill passed the House and Senate, was signed by the Governor, and is now a law in Illinois. NOTE at the time of publication of this newsletter some bills have passed both houses and are still on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature to become law.

*PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE OR SENATE – This bill passed through a committee and is waiting for a vote in the House or Senate chamber.

*THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE – This bill did not pass a committee and did not advance out of the House or Senate. 

In the legislative updates, several terms that are used repeatedly are abbreviated as follows: Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ), mandatory supervised release (MSR), and Prisoner Review Board (PRB).

Restore Justice’s 2025 Legislative Initiatives

HB 2546 (Rep. Will Guzzardi/Sen. Javier Cervantes): This bill would make a technical change to correct a drafting error and a timing change to clarify the timing of youthful parole hearings to reflect the legislative intent. The timing change would clarify that petitioners can petition up to three years before they are eligible for parole review, but their hearing cannot be scheduled sooner than one year after their petition is appropriately filed. This is to make clear that someone who is immediately eligible to petition for parole (likely because they were resentenced) only has to wait one year for a parole review rather than three years. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND IS PENDING ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK.

SB 248 (Sen. Adriane Johnson/Rep. Lilian Jiménez): In the 2012 ruling Miller v. Alabama, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a substantive constitutional change requiring judges to consider age, brain development, and environmental circumstances when sentencing people under 18. In 2014, Illinois passed bipartisan Public Act 99-0069, codifying Miller and expanding judicial discretion when sentencing people under 18. Additionally, the Illinois Supreme Court later recognized that those youthful factors identified in Miller could apply to people under 21 and that such claims are best raised in post-conviction petitions. However, the law generally allows only one post-conviction petition. It’s nearly impossible to file another petition. As a result, people who filed their first petition before Miller are left unable to have their sentences reviewed under modern sentencing standards simply due to the timing of their first petition. SB 248 would eliminate the “cause” requirement for people under 21 to file a successive post-conviction petition claiming their sentence violates the Illinois Constitution. SB 248 PASSED THE SENATE. SB 248 PASSED THROUGH COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE.

HB 3332 (Rep. Theresa Mah): The U.S. Supreme Court and recent state laws have recognized children’s and young people’s substantial capacity for rehabilitation as their brains continue to mature into their mid-20s. Through bipartisan 2019 and 2023 Youthful Parole laws, Illinois created new parole opportunities for people 20 and younger sentenced after enactment. Since these youthful parole laws were not retroactive, people who were sentenced as children and young adults before 2019 are still serving life without parole sentences. There is currently no legal mechanism to reconsider their sentence. HB 3332 would create a limited opportunity for people 20 and younger at the time of their offense to petition the court for their sentence to be reviewed. People who were 20 and younger could petition for a sentencing review after serving 10, 20, or 30 years, depending on their conviction. PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND DID NOT ADVANCE IN THE HOUSE. 

HB 3713 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias): This bill would protect the right of every person who is incarcerated to receive the original, physical copy of their mail unless the mail is narrowly determined to threaten the security or safety of the institution. It would also require IDOC to publicly report data regarding mail identified as a threat, including the type of threat by facility and outcome. It would ensure people who are incarcerated maintain the right to communicate with their outside support networks without losing access due to disciplinary sanctions. It would allow people who are incarcerated to communicate with their support systems via phone, mail, video, or electronic message free of charge. We are working with the John Howard Association. HB 3713 PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE.

SB 65/HB 1428 (Sen. Robert Peters/Rep. Kevin Olickal): Illinois has no limits on how long a person can be held in isolated confinement, which violates an internationally recognized standard called the Nelson Mandela Rules. This bill would bring Illinois into compliance with the Nelson Mandela Rules by limiting the use of solitary confinement. It would require everyone to be allowed out of their cells at least four hours a day. If a person needs to be kept in a cell for more than 20 hours a day, that could only last 10 days in any 180-day period. People who are under 21, over 55, have a disability (as defined by ADA), or are pregnant or postpartum could not be in solitary confinement. We are working with the Uptown People’s Law Center, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and Access Living to enact restrictions. THESE BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 2257/HB 3449 (Sen. Robert Peters/Rep. Justin Slaughter): Illinois’ current sentencing system severely limits the amount of time people convicted of certain offenses can earn off their sentences. This bill, the Credit for Change Act, would allow people to earn credit off their sentences for participating in rehabilitative, educational, or professional programs while incarcerated. SB 2257/HB 3449 would reduce the statutorily mandated percentages that people must serve by 25%. We are working with the Credit for Change Coalition. THESE BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 3348/SB 2271 (Rep. Lisa Davis/Sen. Celina Villanueva): Under Illinois’ accountability theory, it is legal for a person to be charged with and convicted of a crime they did not commit and also did not plan, agree to, or intend to commit. In fact, the person need not have been present. HB 3348/SB 2271 would ensure people convicted under accountability are charged and sentenced based on their actual involvement in the crime. This bill would ensure that the possible punishment matches the person’s actual involvement. THESE BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 5 (Rep. La Shawn Ford): Illinois’ mandatory gun enhancements are the most severe in the country. Judges are required to add 15, 20, or 25 years to life to prison sentences of people who had firearms during the commission of certain felonies. 15 years are added if a firearm is possessed but not discharged, 20 years are added if the gun is discharged with no injuries, and 25 years to life are added if there is a death or grievous injury. In 2015, Illinois made firearm enhancements discretionary for children younger than 18. HB 5 would expand this law and make firearm enhancements discretionary for 18, 19, and 20-year-olds, allowing judges to apply enhancements individually if appropriate. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1241 (Rep. Maurice West): Mandatory minimums are a one-size-fits-all approach to sentencing that has taken away judges’ discretion and forced extreme sentencing of youth without consideration of the individual circumstances of a case. HB 1241 would give judges the authority to decide appropriate sentences for people younger than 21 on a case-by-case basis. Judges could apply the full mandatory sentence if appropriate. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 2256 (Sen. Robert Peters): In 2023, the bipartisan Illinois Resentencing Task Force recommended prospective and retroactive reform. The Task Force called for a new resentencing pathway to reduce Illinois’ prison population and address inequities for people serving long sentences who currently have no meaningful way to earn early release. This legislation would incorporate the Task Force’s 16 recommendations. It would create a process for people to petition the courts for another look at their sentences after serving 10 years. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

Bills of Interest – Passed Both Houses. Signed into Law or Pending on the Governor’s Desk

HB 1710 (Rep. Kam Buckner/Sen. Robert Peters): The Homicide Data Transparency Bill requires the Illinois State Police to submit quarterly detailed homicide data to the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority on nonfatal shootings, homicides, and investigations to be published on the Authority’s website. Initiative of Live Free Illinois. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND IS PENDING ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK. 

HB 2397 (Rep. Nicolle Grasse/Sen. Adriane Johnson): Creates the Eddie Thomas Act. Requires the IDOC to publicly report information about hospice and palliative care in its institutions every year. This report will include information, such as demographic data, length of time people spend in hospice and palliative care programs, staffing, program availability, and costs related to hospice care. Initiative of Access Living. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND IS PENDING ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK.

HB 3363 (Rep. Dave Vella/Sen. Robert Peters): This bill creates the State Public Defender Act, also known as the FAIR (Funded Advocacy and Independent Representation) Act. It establishes an Office of the State Public Defender and an independent State Public Defender Commission to appoint the State Public Defender. The Office and Commission will set standards for attorney workload, training, and resources, free of judicial and political influence; work with local stakeholders to appoint and remove county defenders; assess each county’s need for additional resources; distribute funds to counties’ public defense offices; and gather, analyze, and release data. The State Public Defender must be a licensed attorney with administrative experience. This bill also modifies the compensation of public defenders and the use of funds in the Public Defender Fund. Initiative of the Cook County Public Defender Office. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND IS PENDING ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK.

HB 3710 (Rep. Kelly Cassidy/Sen. Celina Villanueva): This bill prohibits law enforcement from using deceptive investigative tactics when interviewing victims. An initiative of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Chicago (CCAC) and the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE). PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND IS PENDING ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK. 

SB 19 (Sen. Don Harmon/Rep. Will Guzzardi): This bill makes several changes to the PRB’s duties and responsibilities and contains a series of reforms to include victims’ participation in PRB decisions. The bill gives victims the right to file victim impact statements ahead of hearings, provides them with additional notice when a person is granted early release, and allows them to seek an order of protection against a person who is incarcerated. The bill also allows a petition for an order of protection to be filed under new circumstances, including abuse by a person who is incarcerated prior to their conviction or when a person has previously suffered abuse by a person convicted of domestic violence or violent crimes. It also establishes the position of Director of Victim and Witness Services, hired by the PRB. This bill modifies the PRB’s composition by requiring a total of 7 members of the PRB to have at least 5 years’ experience as a law enforcement officer, parole officer, prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, or judge. It extends the terms for PRB members from 6 to 8 years, allows members to serve until their successor is appointed and qualified, expands the trainings members must complete, increases the salary for PRB members, and clarifies their pension provisions. This bill allows the PRB to appoint licensed attorneys as commissioners to assist in their work. It requires the PRB to annually compile a detailed report of its work, including votes cast by each member. The bill details 15 factors the PRB will consider in deciding whether to grant or deny parole. Petitioners for medical release or parole can appear in person or via interactive video teleconference. Clemency petitioners who are currently incarcerated have the opportunity for a pre-hearing conference in person or by video with at least one Board member. The Board will give a hearing to all petitioners for medical release or parole, allowing representation from counsel, advocates, or supporters. If the PRB denies parole, then a written notice must include an explanation of each factor and what goals the applicant should focus on to try to meet at a subsequent hearing. Before releasing a person from parole or MSR, the Board will give notice to victims and a 30-day opportunity to comment to any registered victim. Before deciding whether to revoke parole or MSR, the Board will run a LEADS (Law Enforcement Agencies Data System) report. The PRB will publish on its website for 60 days the names of people who are alleged to have violated the terms of parole or MSR and the PRB’s decision as to whether to revoke it. For medical release hearings, the PRB must provide the petitioner and their attorney copies of the Department’s evaluation and medical records. Medical release hearings are public unless the petitioner requests a non-public hearing, and the petitioner has the right to attend and speak on their own behalf. Voting for medical release will take place during the public hearing. Upon denying medical release, the PRB must publish a decision letter with an explanation of each factor and the estimated annual cost of the petitioner’s continued incarceration, including medical care. At least 60 days before a petitioner’s executive clemency, medical release, or parole hearing, IDOC will provide the petitioner and their attorney a copy of the person’s disciplinary card and any available records of the person’s participation in education and programming. Upon the release of a person, IDOC will notify them of any in-effect protective orders issued against them. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW EFFECTIVE 6/20/25: PUBLIC ACT 104-0011. 

SB 2201 (Sen. Graciela Guzmán/Rep. Gregg Johnson): This bill requires the IDOC to publish data annually on their website on the contraband found, available substance use disorder treatment or educational programming, overdoses, naloxone use, and emergency medical response and hospitalizations at each facility. The contraband data will report what was found, where, and who in the facility (person in custody, staff, vendor, etc.) was in possession of or attempting to procure the contraband. Data on contraband will be collected beginning on July 1, 2026, and all other data beginning July 1, 2027. Initiative of the John Howard Association. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW EFFECTIVE 7/1/26: PUBLIC ACT: 104-0412.

Bills of Interest – Pending

HB 2 (Rep. La Shawn Ford): This bill would restore the right to vote for people who are incarcerated. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 41 (Rep. La Shawn Ford): This bill would restore a person’s right to vote within 14 days following a felony conviction. Correctional facilities would be mandated to make current election resource material available upon request. The bill would also create a Post-Conviction Task Force to strengthen provisions that restore the right to vote for people convicted of a felony. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 44/SB 237 (Rep. Rita Mayfield/Sen. Lakeisha Collins): This bill would create the Community-Based Correction Act. IDOC would establish a program that funds community-based nonprofit providers to serve as a restorative justice alternative to traditional incarceration for emerging adults aged 18 to 25, subject to judicial discretion. Community-based providers would offer housing, workforce training, mental health counseling, and restorative justice programming. IDOC would report program performance annually to the General Assembly, including cost savings from reduced incarceration. Initiative of Lawndale Christian Legal Center. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 50 (Rep. David Friess): This bill would require IDOC to create and implement a policy of electronic scanning and processing of all incoming mail in all institutions and facilities, including the use of drug detection technologies. It would require that mail processed electronically be available only through kiosk and tablet services. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 71 (Rep. Jackie Haas): This bill would make aggravated domestic battery a Class X felony with a mandatory sentence of 6 – 30 years when the person, in committing a domestic battery, strangles another person. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 72 (Rep. Jackie Haas):  This bill would provide that if a person has 3 or more pending charges for misdemeanor domestic battery, violation of order of protection, or criminal property damage, the person would be charged as a habitual misdemeanant offender. Once a person has been adjudged a habitual misdemeanant offender, any subsequent charges for similar offenses would be charged as a Class 4 felony with a 1 – 3 year sentence. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 74 (Rep. Jackie Haas): This bill would prohibit probation, periodic imprisonment, and conditional discharge for any felony requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 78 (Rep. Jackie Haas): This bill would increase the penalties for aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer from a Class 4 felony to a Class 2 felony for first violations and from a Class 3 felony to a Class 1 felony for subsequent offenses. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1037 (Rep. John Cabello): This bill would increase penalties for unlawful possession of weapons by people with a felony conviction or people who are incarcerated in IDOC facilities. It would make conviction under unlawful selling or delivery of a firearm to a person who has been convicted of a felony or is a street gang member a Class 1 felony. Any subsequent violation would become non-probational. The bill would lower the age of a habitual criminal from 21 or older to 18 for the first offense. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE. 

HB 1088 (Rep. Maurice West): This bill would allow people in IDOC to request a transfer to another institution or facility every 12 months. IDOC staff would consider programmatic needs and visitation hardships for every person requesting to be transferred, ensuring they are placed in a facility best suited for their case plan. Individuals in IDJJ, or their parents or guardians, would be allowed to make a transfer request at any time. PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE.

HB 1096 (Rep. Jed Davis): This bill would mandate that IDOC make rehabilitative and educational programs and services available to all people who are incarcerated in their respective facilities if they are qualified, regardless of their projected release date. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1114 (Rep. Nicole La Ha): This bill would allow prosecution to be commenced at any time (rather than within 25 years of the victim turning 18) for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude, or trafficking in persons if a victim is under 18 at the time of the offense. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1126 (Rep. Charles Meier): This bill would immediately discharge any IDOC or IDJJ employee convicted of a contraband offense or against whom a final determination is made that the employee knowingly committed a contraband offense. This would include possessing contraband with the intent to deliver or give access to a person who is incarcerated. Any employee discharged for violating these provisions would be ineligible for rehire by IDJJ or IDOC. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1172 (Rep. Rita Mayfield): This bill would provide that a person commits aggravated battery when committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, to a person employed as a delivery driver or courier. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1265 (Rep. John Cabello): This bill would allow a victim statement supplied to the PRB to be part of all petitions for clemency filed by the petitioner. The PRB would send notice to the victim if they are not registered and allow the victim to testify virtually. Any victim would receive notice within 30 days if the PRB makes a recommendation of clemency to the Governor. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1288 (Rep. La Shawn Ford): This bill would allow individuals convicted of a felony to be eligible and nominated for elected public office after the completion of their sentence, including parole or MSR term. This provision does not apply if the individual was convicted of a felony, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime as a public official. Initiative of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1405 (Rep. Dan Ugaste): This bill would increase penalties for unlawful possession of weapons by one class. If an individual 18 or older commits aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, it would be a Class 3 felony (rather than a Class 4 felony) and the person would be sentenced to 2 – 5 years. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1407 (Rep. Dan Ugaste): This bill would add a conviction to the sex offender registry of home invasion in which a person commits against any person within a home criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1438 (Rep. Kevin Olickal): This bill would appropriate $1.5 million to fund the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1455 (Rep. Amy Grant): This bill would create the offense of domestic assault, defining it as a situation in which an individual places any family or household member in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm, a Class A misdemeanor. If an individual is arrested for domestic assault, they would be prohibited from contact with the victim or entrance into the victim’s residence for 72 hours. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1550 (Rep. Tony McCombie): This bill would create the Knight-Silas Act. It would provide that aggravated battery, without a firearm, include cases where a person who is 21 years old or older intentionally harms someone they know who is working as part of the Adult Protective Services Program, the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program under the Department on Aging, or the Department of Children and Family Services. This would apply when the worker is performing their official duties, is harmed to stop them from doing their duties, or is harmed in retaliation for doing their duties. It would be a Class 1 or Class 2 felony, depending on whether it causes great bodily harm. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE. 

HB 1643 (Rep. Kevin Olickal): This bill would create IDOC’s Independent Ombudsperson Law. It would create the Corrections Oversight Committee, which would appoint the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson, who could not be a current or former employee of IDOC, to serve a six-year term. The Ombudsperson’s role would be to monitor and inspect facilities; investigate unresolved complaints from people who are incarcerated, their families, and staff regarding facility conditions and treatment of people; create a uniform reporting system for data related to death, suicides, assaults, sexual and physical assaults, lockdowns, staff vacancies and people who are incarcerated-to-staff ratios, visits, and the use of solitary confinement; conduct regular inspections of correctional facilities; and publicly issue periodic facility inspection reports and an annual report with recommendations and a summary of data. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 1810/SB 1395 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias/Sen. Adriane Johnson): This bill would create the Equitable Access to Education, Employment, and Training for Incarcerated Individuals with Disabilities Act. It would create a waiver for the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), ensuring that individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities can participate equitably in educational and vocational programs that offer earned sentence credit. The bill would also mandate IDOC staff receive annual training on identifying disabilities, providing accommodations to those with disabilities, and administering alternative assessments for those seeking education. It would ensure IDOC is in compliance with federal disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Initiative of Access Living. BOTH BILLS PASSED COMMITTEE AND ARE PENDING.

HB 2367 (Rep. Barbara Hernandez): This bill would eliminate provisions that individuals must serve various percentages of a sentence for particular convictions, also known as “truth in sentencing.” It would allow individuals to receive one day of sentencing credit for each day they are incarcerated. Each day of this sentencing credit would then reduce one day of their incarceration. It would require IDOC to recalculate each person’s release date within six months of the bill becoming law. Individuals who are serving natural life would accumulate sentencing credit in case their sentence is reduced. Initiative of FAMM. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 2466 (Rep. Carol Ammons/Sen. Adriane Johnson): This bill would amend the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and remove barriers to state aid for academic programs that serve students who are incarcerated. Initiative of the Education Justice Project and IL-CHEP. THIS BILL PASSED THE HOUSE AND IS PENDING IN THE SENATE.

HB 2764 (Rep. Carol Ammons): This bill would provide that people who are incarcerated, including those serving natural life sentences, would be eligible for earned reentry if they have served a term of imprisonment as follows: (1) for the first year following the effective date of the act, a person is eligible for earned reentry if they have served 35 consecutive years: (2) for the second year following the effective date of the act, a person is eligible for earned reentry if they have served 25 consecutive years; and (3) for the third year following the effective date of the act and thereafter, a person is eligible for earned reentry if they have served at least 20 consecutive years. Hearings for earned reentry would be conducted by the PRB. If a person is released on earned reentry, their sentence would be considered complete after the term of MSR. This bill would apply retroactively. Initiative of Parole Illinois. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 3469/SB 2197 (Rep. Will Guzzardi/Sen. Adriane Johnson): This bill would prohibit all registration fees for Illinois public conviction registries, including the Arsonist Registry Act, the Sex Offender Registry Act, and the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Initiative of the Chicago 400 and Shriver Center on Poverty Law. THESE BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 3509/SB 86 (Rep. Justin Slaughter/Sen. Mary Edly-Allen): This bill would create a provision for elder parole, allowing individuals above the age of 55 who have served at least 25 consecutive years to be eligible to petition the PRB for parole. Any person sentenced to natural life for a Class X felony violation of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or predatory criminal sexual assault of a child would be excluded. The PRB would be required to hold a hearing on each petition. Any individual denied parole would be eligible for a rehearing within three years. This bill would apply retroactively. It would delete a provision that no person serving a term of natural life may be paroled or released except through executive clemency. Initiative of Citizens for Parole. THESE BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 3559 (Rep. Kevin Olickal): This bill would create the Reentry Financial Empowerment Act. It would require the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to establish an Illinois Reentry Account Program, providing returning citizens with no-fee, federally insured debit accounts within 12 months of release. These accounts would be required to have no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or minimum requirements. The bill would also require the Department to work with IDOC to facilitate enrollment for reentering citizens. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 3624 (Rep. La Shawn Ford): This bill would establish a canine unit pilot program within IDOC. These canines would be part of a contraband screening program, including the use of a leashed dog to detect illegal drugs in mail sorting and screening areas of each facility. IDOC would establish standards governing the operation of the canine units. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 3625/SB 2254 (Rep. Camille Lilly/ Sen. Kimberly Lightford): This bill would reduce residency restrictions for people on the sex offender registry to reside within 250 feet of a school building, instead of 500 feet. It would remove home daycares from the restrictions list, but regular daycare centers would remain on the list. If an individual was registered at their address before a school or daycare facility opened, the prohibition would not apply. People who are experiencing homelessness would be required to register every 90 days or yearly, instead of weekly. Initiative of Chicago 400 and Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE). THESE BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 3663 (Rep. Justin Slaughter/Sen. Elgie Sims): This bill would create new standards for compensation based on time unjustly served in a state prison, county jail, county juvenile detention facilities, Illinois Youth Centers, including time waiting on a trial, parole or probation, or registered as a sex offender. If the person was unjustly convicted or or adjudicated a delinquent and received a certificate of innocence or received a pardon from the Governor based on innocence, the court would make an award of $50,000 per year during which the person was wrongfully incarcerated and $25,000 for each year the person was wrongfully on parole, probation, or registered as a sex offender. The award would be prorated for any partial year. The court would also make an additional award for reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses. THIS BILL PASSED THE HOUSE AND IS PENDING IN THE SENATE.

HB 3714 (Rep. La Shawn Ford): This bill would provide that if a person has been incarcerated for a Class 4 felony or a Class A, B, or C misdemeanor, the court could impose an unconditional sentence in any case in which the court believes that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the person’s release. When an unconditional sentence is imposed for a felony, the court must state the reasons on the record. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE. 

HB 3822 (Rep. Justin Slaughter): This bill would make changes concerning violations of parole or MSR. It would delete the provision that the PRB shall revoke parole or MSR for violations that would qualify a person as a sexual predator under the Sex Offender Registration Act (as of January 1, 2007) or require an electronic monitoring device after various convictions. The bill would also provide for different conditions if the parolee or releasee violates a criminal statute of any jurisdiction during the parole or release term than for violations of other conditions of parole or MSR. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 2264 (Sen. Karina Villa): This bill would restrict local ordinances that would result in the eviction or a lease non-renewal for a tenant based on requests for law enforcement or emergency assistance. When a local ordinance results in an eviction, it would only be filed against the person convicted of the crime, not the entire household. No survivor of domestic violence, person with a disability, or any other person in a residential property would be penalized or evicted for calling the police or other emergency services. Evictions based solely on arrests would be prohibited. Initiative of the Community Safety through Stable Homes Act Coalition. THIS BILL PASSED COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE SENATE.

SB 81 (Sen. Doris Turner): This bill would create the Knight-Silas Legacy Act and provide that a person commits a Class 1 felony of aggravated battery when the person is 21 or older and, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, causes great bodily harm or permanent disability to a Department of Children and Family Services employee. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 149 (Sen. Michael Hastings): This bill would provide crime victims access to all discovery materials, including, but not limited to, police reports, relevant cellular communication data, and communications between parties, upon request, for protection and civil litigation preparation. It would establish procedures for victims to obtain discovery information, and would prioritize the disclosure of such materials to ensure the victims’ safety and privacy in the disclosure of such materials. It would mandate that discovery materials disclosed only be used to understand the case and prepare for civil litigation. The failure of law enforcement or the prosecuting attorney’s office to comply with the disclosure of discovery materials within the required time frame would result in a civil penalty and/or disciplinary action. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 267 (Sen. John Curran): This bill would expand the definition of a “sex offense” to include a violation of involuntary servitude for sexual services, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons for sexual services. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 277 (Sen. Jil Tracy): This bill would require a natural life sentence if a person, at the time of the crime, is 18 or older, and is found guilty of the first degree murder of a child under the age of 5 who is determined to have died from abusive head trauma caused by shaken baby syndrome. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 296 (Sen. Terri Bryant): This bill would add the number of C-Number Cases and Good Conduct Requests considered, granted, and denied in the PRB annual report sent to the Director of Corrections. It would be disaggregated by offense, including, but not limited to, murder and sex offenses, and indicate if the victims were under 18 years of age or members of law enforcement. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 299 (Sen. Neil Anderson): This bill would create the Capital Crimes Litigation Act of 2025. It would reinstate the death penalty if the person murdered was a peace officer, fireman, an emergency medical technician, IDOC employee, or employee of any similar local correctional agency, killed in the course of performing their official duties, to prevent the performance of their official duties, or in retaliation for performing their official duties. The bill would repeal the Death Penalty Abolition Fund. It would reinstate the Capital Litigation Trust Fund, which is exclusively used for providing funding for the prosecution and defense of capital cases, as well as for funding post-conviction proceedings. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE. 

SB 1266 (Sen. Karina Villa): This bill would allow people who have previously served their sentences and are no longer in custody to access post-conviction review. It would eliminate custody status as an arbitrary bar to relief for people who were unaware of the immigration consequences of their cases and people with actual claims of innocence. Initiative of the Cook County Public Defender. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE. 

SB 1610 (Sen. Mike Simmons): This bill would waive any fees to a formerly incarcerated person for services provided by any State agency for one year following their release from a facility operated by IDOC, IDJJ, or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE. 

SB 1733 (Sen. Lakesia Collins): This bill would create the Reintegration and Civics Empowerment (RACE) Act. It would restore a person’s right to vote within 14 days following a felony conviction, and ensure a person may not be denied the right to vote because of a past criminal conviction. Local election authorities would coordinate with correctional facilities to facilitate voting by mail. IDOC would conduct the civics peer education program, with each of the three sessions held at least twice a month at each correctional institution, resulting in a minimum of six sessions per month at each facility. It would require that the civics peer education program and workshops must be made available to all people who are incarcerated, regardless of the date they were first committed or the length of their sentence. Initiative of Chicago Votes. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 1784 (Sen. Elgie Sims/Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth): The bill would create the Clean Slate Act, which would create an automatic sealing process for law enforcement agencies to seal arrest and conviction records for nonviolent criminal convictions twice a year — Jan. 1 and July 1. The records would no longer be public, although law enforcement and the state’s attorneys would retain access. Initiative of Clean Slate Illinois Coalition. PASSED THE HOUSE AND PENDING IN THE SENATE

SB 1785 (Sen. Robert Peters): This bill would grant one day of additional supervision credit for each day a person serves of an MSR term. Each day of supervision credit would reduce the person’s period of MSR by one day. If a person violated a condition of their MSR, the PRB could extend the term of MSR by revoking supervision credit earned. Initiative of Illinois Prison Project Action Fund. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 1788 (Sen. Robert Peters): This bill would remove felony murder from the first-degree murder statute and reclassify it as second-degree murder. Initiative of Illinois Prison Project Action Fund. THIS BILL DID NOT ADVANCE.

SB 2418 (Sen. Robert Peters/Justin Slaughter): This bill would raise the minimum age of a minor allowed to be committed to IDJJ from 13 to 14. After July 2027, minors under the age of 13 could not be detained in a county jail or municipal lockup for more than six hours. The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission would study and recommend to the General Assembly the availability of youth services to reduce the use of detention and prevent deeper involvement in crime, as well as the advisability of raising the minimum detention age to 14.  It would also create a youth nonviolent crime resource program in IDJJ for children under 18 who have been adjudicated delinquent for a nonviolent crime. Raising the age and the juvenile detention task force are initiatives of the Juvenile Justice Initiative. PASSED THROUGH THE SENATE AND HOUSE, PENDING IN THE SENATE ON CONCURRENCE.

 

LITIGATION UPDATES

Watch for our February 2026 Newsletter for Litigation updates.

 

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

We love hearing from you. Although we cannot individually respond to all the letters we receive, we read every letter and note your concerns. Please read below for answers to your frequently asked questions:

DO WE INCLUDE ALL THE BILLS FILED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEN WE UPDATE THE NEWSLETTER? 

No, there are too many bills to include all of them in the newsletter. Over 6,000 bills were introduced in the 104th General Assembly. We review all of the introduced bills that impact the criminal legal system and focus our updates on the bills that are most relevant to you.

WHAT BILLS ADDRESS “TRUTH IN SENTENCING,” ALSO KNOWN AS “CREDIT FOR CHANGE?”

In 2025, advocates working on so-called “truth in sentencing” bills have rebranded this issue as “credit for change.” Two “credit for change” bills have been introduced in the 104th General Assembly.

One credit for change bill is HB 2367, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Hernandez. It would provide that every person who is incarcerated receive one day of sentence credit for each day they spend in prison unless they have a natural life sentence. This bill was previously filed in the 103rd General Assembly as HB 5219. HB 2367 would eliminate provisions that a person must serve various percentages for a particular offense. Within 6 months of the effective date of the bill, IDOC would recalculate each person’s release date by crediting each person one day’s sentence credit for each day the person who is incarcerated spent in prison on the current sentence. It would also ensure that a person who is serving a natural life sentence would be eligible to accumulate sentence credit that would be credited toward his or her sentence if it is reduced to something less than natural life. HB 2367 was not assigned to a committee and did not advance.

The other credit for change bill is HB 3449/SB 2257, sponsored by Rep. Justin Slaughter and Sen. Robert Peters. A similar bill was previously filed in the 103rd General Assembly as HB 3901/SB 2259. HB 3449/SB 2257 would allow people to earn credit off their sentences for participating in educational, vocational, substance abuse, behavior modification programs, life skills courses, re-entry planning, and correctional industry programs while incarcerated. HB 3449/SB 2257 would reduce the statutorily mandated percentages that people must serve by 25%. It would provide that the sentence credit allotments apply retroactively to people incarcerated before the bill’s effective date. HB 3349 was assigned to the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee, but it was not called for a vote and did not advance. SB 2257 was not assigned to a committee and did not advance.

Although the Credit for Change bills have not advanced, the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee held a Subject Matter Hearing on Credit for Change on May 6. Experts representing advocacy organizations, people directed impacted, crime survivors, re-entry organizations, the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council, and the Vera Institute, a national criminal legal reform organization, testified about the urgent need and positive benefits of passing Credit for Change. Subject matter hearings are an important tool to educate lawmakers about an issue and continue to build momentum for change. No votes are taken during a subject matter hearing.

ARE THERE ANY UPDATES ON PELL GRANTS AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN PRISON PROGRAMS?

Restoration of Pell Grants: On July 1, 2023, the federal government restored access to Pell Grants for incarcerated people. Reinstating eligibility for needbased postsecondary financial aid after a 30-year ban is a critical step towards supporting incarcerated students in their pursuit of higher education. Thus far, the impact has been limited. Federal regulations require a multilevel approval process that moves slowly. As of April 2025, only two Illinois institutions are utilizing Pell Grants to support HEP programs: Augustana College, and Lewis University. We hope to see additional Illinois programs approved in the future and a corresponding increase in funding for and availability of HEP programs in our state.

IDOC Facility Higher Education Institution or Non-Profit Offering HEP

Centralia Kaskaskia Community College

Danville Correctional Center Danville Area Community College

Eastern Illinois University,

University of Illinois

Decatur Correctional Center Adler*

East Moline Correctional Center Augustana College

Hill Correctional Center Knox College

Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project

Illinois River Correctional Center North Park Theological Seminary

Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center Lewis University

Logan Correctional Center Northwestern University

Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project

Sheridan Correctional Center Lewis University

Northwestern University

*The Big Muddy Cohort graduated in April, Adler is moving their program to Decatur

Implementation of Data Collection Bill. Effective January 1, 2024, state law requires statewide data collection and reporting related to HEP in Illinois. Three state agencies are required to provide public reports of this data on their websites: the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Department of Corrections. These reports will include data on enrollment, student demographics, waiting lists, completion rates, educational program spending, and much more. To read a full list of required metrics, review the legislative text here. We expect that the first round of reports will be available later this year.

Information regarding HEP (Higher Education in Prison) is provided by the Education Justice Project, and the Illinois Department of Corrections

CAN YOU SEND THE PATHWAYS TO A FUTURE BEYOND MASS INCARCERATION? 

In May 2025, Impact for Equity released Pathways to a Future Beyond Mass Incarceration in Illinois, a report tracing the roots and impact of long sentencing policies and proposing six legislative reforms to reduce the size and harm of Illinois’ prison system. To request the report by mail, write to: Impact for Equity, attn: Andrea Dantus, 141 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1260, Chicago, IL 60604

WHAT CAN I DO TO SUPPORT RJ FROM THE INSIDE?

We received several requests like this, and we want to thank you. We realize it’s difficult to feel like you have any voice while inside. You can write to your State Senator and your State Representative and let them know how the legislation we are working on affects you and your family. Keeping us updated with your letters is also very helpful, so we know what is happening inside. Your loved ones also have a voice. Please have them reach out to Constituent Services with any and all questions or concerns. It sometimes feels like a waste of time, but it is not; they keep records of calls and emails. Have your loved ones join CRIIC, our Support Group, and our Advocacy Team. Again, thank you.

HOW CAN MY LOVED ONES CONTACT THE FAMILY LIAISON?

The Family Liaison will join us on zoom at our Loved Ones Self Advocacy Series on August 20th from 6 to 7:30pm; your loved ones can contact Janderson@restorejustice.org for registration information.

Illinois Department of Corrections, Office of Constituent Services
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277​

Phone: 217.558.2200, ext. 6226

Email:  DOC.Constituent.Services@illinois.gov

CAN RESTORE JUSTICE PROVIDE HELP WITH PRB SUPPORT?

Your loved one can find a great PRB Toolkit on the Illinois Prison Project’s website, illinoisprisonproject.org. They need to click on “Resources” at the top of the page, and then “Youthful Parole Toolkit,” which is under “Currently Incarcerated.” There are several other resource guides on their website, including how to file for clemency.

IS THERE SUPPORT AVAILABLE AFTER I AM RELEASED?

You can request a free copy of  “Mapping Your Future,” a guide to programs available on release. Please contact: Education Justice Project, Reentry Resource Program, 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820

Your loved ones can also request copies by going to the EJP website: (https://reentryillinois.net/reentry-guides) and clicking “Request Our Guides.”

CAN SOMEONE FROM RESTORE JUSTICE SPEAK AT MY RESENTENCING HEARING OR WRITE ME A LETTER OF SUPPORT?

Here at Restore Justice we work to try and be as supportive as possible. These requests are handled on a case by case basis–please send us a letter with your request. We can usually write a letter for you. Having someone speak at a hearing is sometimes possible, depending on the availability of our team.

WHO ARE THE CURRENT PRISONER REVIEW BOARD (PRB) MEMBERS?

The PRB considers cases of people who are incarcerated and eligible for parole, sets conditions for parole and MSR, revokes good conduct credit, suspends or reduces the rate of accumulating such credit, and reviews recommendations for executive clemency.

As of July 2025, the PRB members are: Jared Bohland, Matthew Coates, Julie Globokar, Jeffrey Grubbs, Rodger Heaton, Robin Shoffner, Carmen Terrones, Krystal Tison, and Ken Tupy.

WHEN AND WHERE ARE UPCOMING PRB CLEMENCY HEARINGS*?

*Dates and locations of hearings are subject to change or extension. Schedules are posted on the PRB website: https://prb.illinois.gov/prbexclemex.html

October 2025

• Hearings: October 7 – 9, 2025. Hearings will be held at Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL  60601
• Petition Filing Deadline: July 24, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.

 

January 2026

• Hearings: January 6 – 8, 2026. Hearings will be held at a location to be determined in Springfield.
• Petition Filing Deadline: October 23, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.

 

April 2026

• Hearings: April 7 – 9, 2026. Hearings will be held at a location to be determined in Chicago.
• Petition Filing Deadline: January 25, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.

 

October 2026

• Hearings: October 6 – 8, 2026. Hearings will be held at a location to be determined in Chicago.
• Petition Filing Deadline: July 24, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.

 

WHAT ARE THE 15 FACTORS THE PRB MUST CONSIDER IN DECIDING WHETHER TO GRANT OR DENY PAROLE ACCORDING TO PUBLIC ACT 104-0011?

1. Participation in rehabilitative programming available to the petitioner, including, but not limited to education, vocational, life skills, individual or group counseling, civics education, peer education, independent studies, substance abuse counseling, and behavior modification courses.
2. Participation in professional licensing courses or on-the-job training courses.
3. Letters from correctional staff, educational faculty, community members, friends, and other people who are incarcerated.
4. The petitioner’s potential for rehabilitation or the evidence of rehabilitation of the petitioner.
5. The applicant’s age at the time of the offense.
6. The circumstances of the offense and the petitioner’s role and degree of participation in the offense.
7. The presence of a cognitive or developmental disability in the petitioner at the time of the offense.
8. The petitioner’s family, home environment, and education and social background at the time of the offense.
9. Evidence that the petitioner has suffered from gender-based violence, postpartum psychosis or postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, adverse childhood experiences, or other trauma that could have been a contributing factor to a person’s criminal behavior and participation in the offense.
10. The presence or expression by the petitioner of remorse, compassion, or insight of harm and collateral effects experienced by the victims.
11. The commission of a serious disciplinary infraction within the previous 5 years.
12. A pattern of fewer serious institutional disciplinary infractions within the previous 2 years.
13. Evidence that the petitioner has any serious medical conditions.
14. Evidence that IDOC is unable to meet the petitioner’s medical needs.
15. The petitioner’s re-entry plan, including, but not limited to residence plans, employment plans, continued education plans, rehabilitation plans, and counseling plans.

No one factor listed above is dispositive.

HOW CAN I BE ADDED TO NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST?

There are two ways to be added if you are incarcerated:

1. Mail Restore Justice a letter letting us know your ID# and address
2. Your loved one can fill out the form at restorejustice.org/our-work/newsletter-to-people-who-are-incarcerated/ or email hello@restorejustice.org

 

CAN I JOIN RESTORE JUSTICE WHEN I AM RELEASED?

We are a small organization without much staff turnover, but we’d love to have you get involved as an advocate. See below for more information about our advocacy trainings. You can also join the Returning Citizens Network – see below for more information.

CAN YOU FORWARD MY LETTER TO MY REPRESENTATIVE OR THE GOVERNOR?

We are unable to forward letters to your legislators or the governor.

Please write to us and let us know if you are transferred or discharged.

Our Address:  Restore Justice, PO Box 101099, Chicago, IL 60610

FAMILY SUPPORT & ADVOCACY GROUPS

COMMUNITIES & RELATIVES OF ILLINOIS INCARCERATED CITIZENS (CRIIC) We meet on the second Tuesday of every month, alternating between in-person and virtual, from 1 to 3 p.m., to discuss legislation, court decisions, and prison conditions. We also share our strategies for self-care and caring for an incarcerated loved one. Your loved ones do not have to do it alone. Please have your loved ones email Julie Anderson at janderson@restorejustice.org to be added to our email list for meeting information and registration. In-person meetings are held at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, in The Front Porch, located at 1130 W 51st Street in Chicago. Lunch is provided for in-person meetings. CRIIC meetings typically occur on the second Tuesday of each month. 

Upcoming dates: 

• August 12th, 1:00 to 3:00 PM in person at “The Front Porch”
• September 9th, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM via Zoom
• October 14th, 1:00 to 3:00 PM in person at “The Front Porch”
• November 11th, noon to 4:00 PM In person Holiday Card Signing at “The Front Porch”
• December 9th, 1:00 to 2:00 PM via Zoom
• January 13th, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in person at “The Front Porch”
• February 10th, 1:00 to 2:00 PM via Zoom
• March 10th, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in person at “The Front Porch”

 

LOVED ONES REUNITED (LOR) is a newer support group for people who have loved ones who have come home or will soon be coming home from prison. We talk about issues we are facing with our loved ones. All meetings are in person. To be added to our email list for meetings, please contact Julie Anderson at janderson@restorejustice.org.

Upcoming Dates:

• August 26th – in person at “The Front Porch”
• September 23rd – in person at “The Front Porch”
• October 28th – in person at “The Front Porch”

 

LOVED ONES’ SELF-ADVOCACY TRAININGS 

We held six trainings in 2024 to help your loved ones navigate the IDOC. All of these are via Zoom. We record the sessions, and they are available to your loved ones. Your loved ones can email Lizzie Lewandowski at elewandowski@restorejustice.org, and she will be happy to share the recordings. Upcoming Dates:

• August 20th, 6:00 to 7:30 PM via Zoom, featured guest IDOC Family Liaison Raquel
• October 15th, 6:00 to 7:30 PM via Zoom, featured guest IDOC Chief of Programs Jennifer Parrack

 

NOTE: If your loved ones have any questions or suggestions for next year’s series, please have them contact Julie Anderson at janderson@restorejustice.org.

RETURNING CITIZENS NETWORK (RCN)

We provide the opportunity for returning citizens to come together to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, and first-hand information about the challenges they face reentering society after long periods of incarceration. RCN’s monthly meetings are led by Restore Justice staff and attended by recently returned citizens who were incarcerated for lengthy adult sentences as youth and young adults. The most meaningful aspect of these meetings is that they help returning citizens develop a sense of togetherness when returning to society after serving long sentences; it is important to have a safe space to deal with the stressors of life after incarceration. To be added to our email list about these meetings, please contact James Swansey at jswansey@restorejustice.org.

ENCOURAGE YOUR LOVED ONES TO ADVOCATE WITH RESTORE JUSTICE

Our Advocacy Team is for anyone who lives in Illinois and wants to advocate for sentencing and prison reform, and for bills that help family members. We ask team members to spend a few minutes each week during the January-May legislative session contacting their legislators. This is an easy way for someone with limited time to advocate for compassionate change. Share this link with your loved ones: restorejustice.org/our-work/advocacy/advocacy-team

UPCOMING ADVOCACY TRAININGS

Our free advocacy trainings are open to individuals and organizations interested in advancing change in our state through the legislative process in Springfield. While our focus is on criminal legal reform, we try to make our training useful for any issue. People can learn more at our website: https://www.restorejustice.org/our-work/advocacy/advocacy-trainings 

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY 101 TRAINING

During Legislative Advocacy 101, you’ll learn about the legislative process and how a bill really 

becomes a law in Illinois, develop skills to navigate Springfield, and learn to build support for issues that matter to you. 

Upcoming Dates:

• August 23rd, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in person
• September 24th, 3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. via Zoom

 

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LEGISLATORS ADVOCACY TRAINING

This is a more advanced training than Legislative Advocacy 101, but everyone is welcome. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Sep 9th, 3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. via Zoom

 

HOW CAN YOUR FAMILY OBTAIN A COPY OF OUR NEWSLETTER?

Your loved one can visit our website to view this newsletter virtually:

restorejustice.org/category/newsletters

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in receiving our email updates. We appreciate your interest and requests. Unfortunately, due to current staffing limitations, we cannot send out legislative updates via email at this time.

RESTORE JUSTICE STAFF UPDATES
FROM THE DESK OF…

Wendell Robinson, Executive Director, Peace Y’all, here is another entry from the desk of WR. As always, I tell it to y’all as I see it. In this entry, I have to speak about the amazing RJ team, the people who are a part of the day-to-day operations at Restore Justice. This is a group of highly dedicated individuals who deeply care about the challenging issues we champion. Each member brings their own unique strength and passion to our mission, and it truly inspires me every day.

I can’t stress enough how proud I am to be a part of this team of extraordinary individuals. The commitment and heart that each person brings to their work make a real difference in the lives of those we serve. It’s not just about the tasks we accomplish, but the genuine connections we foster and the hope we instill in the communities we serve.

I believe it’s important to uplift the people who do the work and get things done, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside such compassionate souls. Together, we are not just colleagues; we are a family united by a common goal of healing. So, a huge shout-out to the Restore Justice staff. As always, I’m forever in solidarity.

Julie Anderson, Outreach Director, As we close July, my thoughts are with all of you during the hot weather you have had to endure. I know the “fan” problem is real and we have tried addressing this. We will be having a town hall meeting with the IDOC Family Liaison on August 20th and that is one of the questions your loved ones have brought forward. The loved ones are currently working on a quilt, to show support for all of you inside, if your loved one would like to participate please have them reach out. We also realize visiting has been a challenge for your loved ones and once again are addressing that with the IDOC, I would ask all of you to encourage your loved ones to continue to call and reach out to your legislators and the Family Liaison, the only way we will get real change is to work together. I think of all of you and please know we are out here working and trying to make changes. Stay safe.

Lindsey Hammond, Policy Director, Hello! I hope you are finding ways to stay cool despite the summer heat. It is hard to believe that, as I write this update, the 2026 election season has already begun. Candidates began circulating petitions this week to get on the ballot next year. We pay close attention to the election cycle because it has a direct impact on the work we do. We can often have the most significant impact after an election. In the meantime, we are laying the groundwork for opportunities to provide relief to you. I hope you find encouragement and ways to stay positive in all you are going through. Please continue to reach out to us with your questions, feedback, and experiences related to the issues we are addressing. Legislators also value hearing directly from you and pay attention to the letters they receive. Your voices and experiences matter. You are always in our thoughts. Peace and blessings to you.

Alice Swan, Managing Director, Hi everyone, I am sending positive energy towards cooler weather ahead! This summer has been a hot one, and we are all concerned about those of you living through the heat waves in prison. In addition to all our work in Springfield, this spring we also wrote a new, three-year strategic plan for Restore Justice, which will help to guide our work during that period. Nothing major has changed–we are still focused on the same legislative issues outlined in this newsletter–but the written plan helps us more clearly communicate our goals with funders and constituents, and helps keep us focused on what’s most important to us. We are gearing up for quite a few events (mentioned by other folks) in October. It will be a busy, but also exciting, month for Restore Justice. Please be sure to read below about all the fabulous things our summer interns have working on; we say this every time we have a new batch of interns, but these ones have truly knocked it out of the park. They’ve provided us with some wonderful resources that we hope will help us continue to make a difference leading into the next legislative session.

James Swansey, Associate Policy Director, Greetings to all! I come to you in a very optimistic way today. I have almost been home now for five years and just for me to be able to see so many individuals that have come home in that timeframe leaves me speechless and very hopeful that this change in narrative and criminal justice reform will continue to move in the right direction. The formerly impacted are slowly becoming a community! This is just something I thought that I would share because to come from incarceration to having a voice in the changing of the same system that once held us is truly motivating because no one can contest your story or the path you took to get to where you are! I say this to let you know to keep doing the positive things you have been doing to stand out and be better everyday, continue to check those boxes needed to live and think the way that not only benefits you but those around you with the same mind frame! Surround yourself with like minded individuals and continue to find ways to grow! Change is possible, and the chance to be more is always there! Keep your head up and stay focused on getting where you need to be! Mentally and physically! Be safe!

Tamala Allen, Development Manager, Hello, I wanted to take a moment to share an update on some of the work I’ve been focused on at Restore Justice. Over the past several months, I’ve focused on strengthening our fundraising and outreach efforts to ensure we have the support needed to keep fighting for justice and second chances. That includes preparing for our Fall Luncheon, where we’ll bring together supporters, community members, and partners to uplift the voices of those directly impacted by incarceration and highlight the urgent need for sentencing reform. I’ve also been working to strengthen relationships with foundations and donors who believe in this movement. These partnerships help sustain our long-term efforts—whether we’re advocating for parole access, challenging extreme sentencing, or making sure your stories are heard and honored. Please know you are not forgotten. You remain at the heart of our mission, and we’re honored to keep moving this work forward on your behalf.

Lizzie Lewandowski, Communications Manager, Hello! I hope you are all staying cool in the heat this summer. The past several months have been busy here. The quilting project has been a highlight of the summer; these sessions have been a really special time for people to come together and be creative, honoring their loved ones who are incarcerated. We have so much to look forward to this fall, including our annual luncheon, a new play by Mud Theatre Project, and veto session in Springfield. We hope being a stop on the Unlock the Box national bus tour in October will help us build strong support for the Nelson Mandela Act, which would limit the use of solitary confinement in Illinois. Throughout it all, I am working to expand and update our educational resources and spread the word about the 10-year anniversary of Restore Justice and the amazing work my colleagues here do. I am grateful to be doing this work with this wonderful team. We are thinking of you; thank you for all the letters you write to us. You are at the heart of the work we do.

Brian Beals, Apprentice,  Greetings everyone, it’s been an amazing summer of learning for me. Beginning with an invitation to sit on a panel with renowned Death Row activist Sister Helen Prejean, followed by being a team captain at our lobby day in Springfield. I’ve gone with Policy Manager James Swansey to meet with a couple of legislators in their district offices and I accompanied him to do an Advocacy Training for some students at De Paul University.  I have been appointed to organize two projects: (1) Restore Justice’s venture with the national Unlock the Box Campaign’s bus tour against Solitary Confinement. Our objective is to raise awareness about our Nelson Mandela Act, which is aimed at limiting the use of solitary confinement. (2) The Returning Citizens Network (RCN) monthly meeting / activity. Those activities can vary from bringing in guest speakers to discuss laws and policies to attending a reading of a play or going to Top Golf to have fun. Sometimes we meet just to chill together. All of which we’ve done this year. I can’t sign out without mentioning the Mud Theatre Project, we are gearing up to work on more partnerships with RJ. Stay strong and focused.

GREETINGS FROM OUR INTERNS:      

Lee Chaloemtiarana, Hello everyone. I am honored to have spent this summer with the Restore Justice community. When I return to begin my third year as a Critical Theory and Social Justice student at Occidental College, I will carry with me the stories, poetry, art, letters, and music of those impacted by the criminal-legal system. This summer, I researched and presented on the intersection of LGBTQ+ people who are incarcerated to examine the unique ways the criminal-legal system affects vulnerable populations. I also wrote our first onboarding manual for future interns, refined Restore Justice’s educational materials, and created a visitation guide unique to each IDOC facility to assist loved ones and allies of people who are incarcerated in visiting the people close to them. While studying the dehumanizing and debilitating practices of the criminal legal system, I have found immense hope and tangible progress in the transformational policies Restore Justice has helped achieve, in part due to the stories of growth, power, change, hardship, and love by those most heavily impacted by Illinois’ criminal-legal system. Until liberation – Lee

Winston Chu, Hello all! I am a rising Sophomore at Cornell University studying Public Policy. This is my second summer working at Restore Justice, but the profound effect of stepping into this office for the first time and working with this amazing team still remains. Wendell often highlights the “energy” of this organization as one of the key drivers of our success and ability to drive change. With every legislative meeting, staff check-in, and intern meeting, I understand this energy more and more. It is an energy driven by empathy, resilience, and altruism. Be assured that you are being supported by a team of some of the most compassionate and inspiring people I have had the pleasure of learning from. I hope to embody this Restore Justice “energy” in this office and beyond it as I return to school. This summer, I have been working on the legislative updates that you read in the pages above. I’ve also undertaken a research project highlighting the concerning uptick in lockdowns, and their effect on various rights including visitations. I am hopeful that this work may eventually contribute to the broader goals of this organization and you, the people we are fighting for. Stay well!

Raven Owens, Hi everyone! I am a rising junior at Stanford University studying Sociology on the pre-law track. Originally from Oklahoma City, this is my first summer in Chicago and it has been nothing short of wonderful, especially thanks to Restore Justice. From the moment I set foot inside this organization, I was instantly greeted with open arms. Restore Justice isn’t just another job – it’s a family. One that I’m so grateful I had the privilege to intern for. During my time here, I analyzed the IDOC first-ever quarterly report on its use of solitary confinement, including the demographics of those in solitary and the length of their stays. I also developed a “Know More” explainer about solitary confinement, breaking down its logistics, history, issues, and possible alternatives. I also worked closely with Brian Beals, Restore Justice’s Future Leaders Apprentice, to organize the Chicago leg of the Journey to Justice Bus Tour, a public education and activism tour designed to ignite conversation about and inspire change in solitary confinement policies. I am forever grateful for the time I got to spend with Restore Justice, as it has furthered my motivation to fight for a better tomorrow. Sending well wishes to you all.

Santana Romero, Hello everyone! I am a rising Sophomore at Stanford University planning to study Public Policy and Human Biology on the pre-law track, but am proudly born and raised on Southside Chicago. I have had the privilege of joining Restore Justice as a summer intern and can only hope my work has helped a fraction of the inspiring efforts of this organization. During my time, I have written articles examining topics such as the new ICSolutions contract with the IDOC and visiting problems for loved ones. I have also helped highlight the past important work of RJ including our More Than A Conviction report. Independently, I have worked on creating an explainer on correctional officers and states that do not rely on solitary confinement. Every policy call, in-district legislator meeting, and staff conversation has left me motivated and moved. I look forward to continuing to support the reform of our criminal legal system and to be an advocate for all those impacted. Sending love and solidarity!

IMPORTANT:  WE NEED YOUR ADDRESS CHANGE!

Please send us your address changes when you are transferred. If you are released, please let us know. We would love to stay in touch when you return home. Although we cannot answer every letter individually, we read ALL the mail we receive.

Restore Justice

PO Box 101099

Chicago, IL 60610