Winter 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends, we hope this letter finds you safe, warm, and as well as possible. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write to us. While we cannot answer each letter individually, we read every one of your letters. We love hearing from you!

We kicked off 2025 with a particularly special event. We wanted to bring our work to life in a new way, so we commissioned a play by our wonderful friends at Mud Theatre Project. Mud Theatre Project, established in 2024 by Brian Beals, is an outgrowth of the Dixon Correctional Center Performing Arts Program. Mud Theatre Project uses theater as a vehicle for transformation, amplifying the voices of those who have been silenced and illuminating the concerns of our shared communities.

Together, we created Searching for Justice, a play that bridges art and advocacy, exploring what justice means for those already sentenced under outdated laws. It was a great joy to be able to present a play written and performed by the talented Mud Theatre Project ensemble at Steppenwolf, one of Chicago’s most iconic theaters. The production starred King Moosa, Toussaint Daniels, Darrion Benson, Tekamia “Queen” Cannon, and Darius “DF” Franklin. We are working to schedule additional performances of this thought-provoking show across Illinois to inspire more people to seek change in our state’s overly punitive criminal legal system.

This newsletter is shorter than our usual newsletters because we wanted to send you a special legislative update covering the end of the 103rd General Assembly. Since we last wrote, legislators returned to Springfield for the veto session on November 12-14 and November 19-21, 2024. In addition to the November veto session, there was one last opportunity for bills in the 103rd General Assembly to pass during the “lame-duck” session. The lame-duck session was January 4-7, 2025, before the inauguration of legislators for the next General Assembly on January 8. The General Assembly was reluctant to pass many bills pertaining to the criminal legal system. Only five bills related to the criminal legal system were passed during the veto and lame-duck sessions before the 103rd General Assembly adjourned on January 7, 2005.

This newsletter includes information on the bills that passed the 103rd General Assembly. We also include Restore Justice’s legislative agenda for 2025. 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. We hope you find this newsletter informative. In our next newsletter, we will share information about new bills filed in the current 104th General Assembly. In the meantime, please feel free to share the newsletter, write to us with questions, or just send us a quick note to say “Hi.”

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 harder 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 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, 2024). 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 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

November 2024 – January 2025 | Veto and Lame Duck Session 

Note for bill statuses below: For a bill to become a 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. 

Only bills related to the criminal legal system passed during the 103rd General Assembly veto or lame-duck sessions are listed below. If a bill passed both houses and was signed into law by the Governor, it is now a law in Illinois.

If a bill is not listed in the section below, it died at the end of the 103rd General Assembly. It would need to be reintroduced by the sponsor with a new bill number for it to be considered the current 104th General Assembly. 

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).

HB 4828 House Amendments 1 and 2/Public Act 103-1074 (Rep. Kevin Olickal/Sen. Robert Peters): There is no publicly available data about who is subjected to restrictive housing, why, and for how long in the IDOC. This bill would require the IDOC to publish data on the use of restrictive housing in Illinois in online quarterly and annual reports beginning on July 1, 2025. The reports must include, among other information, data on the individuals subject to these restrictions divided by age, gender, sex, identity, ethnicity, and whether the individuals were designated as having a serious mental illness (SMI), as well as the type and length of confinement, the reason for the confinement, the number and type of grievances filed from confinement, and the number of alternative programs available instead of restrictive confinement in each unit. It would also require the Department to verify the accuracy of the data. Led by Restore Justice, the Uptown People’s Law Center, the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and Access Living. Effective immediately, once signed into law. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

SB 457/Public Act 103-1076 (Sen. Ram Villivalam/Rep. Kevin Olickal): Requires school districts, state-owned hospitals, and IDOC facilities to offer religious dietary food options, including halal and kosher meal options that comply with federal and state nutritional guidelines when given reasonable notice. Effective immediately, once signed into law. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

HB 4144/Public Act 103-1065 (Rep. Maura Hirschauer/Sen. Celina Villanueva): This bill is known as Karina’s Law. It authorizes the court to prohibit the possession of firearms and firearm parts in criminal proceedings. Additionally, it mandates that a person who is subject to a domestic violence order of protection is not allowed to possess firearms or firearm parts. Authorizes the court to issue a search warrant for law enforcement to seize any firearms, firearm parts, and FOID/CCL from the home, vehicle, or other property upon a finding that the respondent to an order of protection possesses firearms or firearm parts and poses an immediate and present credible threat to the physical safety of the petitioner. Outlines parameters by which a respondent may request the return of firearms and firearm parts and reinstatement of FOID/CCL at the end of an order of protection. It protects law enforcement officers acting in good faith when executing search warrants under this Act from civil liability unless the act results from willful or wanton misconduct. Effective on May 11, 2025. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

HB 4410/Public Act 103-1071 (Rep. Will Guzzardi/Sen. Karina Villa): This bill requires that every law enforcement agency create a policy to prohibit law enforcement officers from knowingly and willingly performing an act of sexual penetration with someone suspected or being investigated for prostitution during the course of an investigation conducted by that officer. It also changes terms in various statutes: “juvenile prostitution” will become “commercial sexual exploitation of a child,” “prostitute” will become “person engaged in the sex trade,” and “juvenile prostitute” will become “sexually exploited child.” Finally, it requires the sealing of all Class 4 felony prostitution arrest records. Effective July 1, 2025. PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW. 

SB 2655/Public Act 103-1081 (Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr./Rep. Justin Slaughter): This bill amends the Illinois State Police Training Act so that storage requirements for in-car camera recordings match the storage requirements for officer-worn body camera recordings. Effective immediately, once signed into law.  PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

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.
*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 chamber. 

Restore Justice’s 2025 Legislative Initiatives

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. The younger population overwhelmingly “ages out” of crime. 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. HB3332 would create a limited opportunity for people under 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. This is a fair, cost-effective, age-appropriate way to ensure children and young adults are held accountable for the harm they have caused while offering them an opportunity to redeem themselves. PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE.

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. Fifteen 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. HB5 would expand this successful 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.

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 248/HB 1858 (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/HB 1858 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 THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE SENATE. HB 1858 PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE.

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. Long sentences leave people in prison for years or even decades after they likely have aged out of crime. To fix this, HB1241 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.

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. Incentivizing people to participate in restorative programming is one of the safest ways to reduce the prison population and prepare people to return home. The Credit for Change Act would allow people to earn credit off their sentences for participating in rehabilitative, educational, or professional programs while incarcerated. SB2257/HB3449 would reduce the statutorily mandated percentages that people must serve by 25%. We are working with Credit for Change Coalition. THESE BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE.

HB 2546/SB 2337 (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. HB 2546 PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE. SB 2337 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. HB3348/SB2271 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 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. HB 3713 PASSED THROUGH A COMMITTEE AND IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE.

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, which 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, the 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.

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

The following Information is provided by Education Justice Project, 1001 S. Wright St. Champaign, IL 61820, and info@educationjustice.net.

The higher education programs currently available in IDOC include:

• Adler University – Big Muddy
• Augustana College – East Moline
• Danville Area Community College – Danville
• Eastern Illinois University – Danville
• Knox College – Hill
• Lewis University – Sheridan and Kewanee
• Millikin University – Decatur
• North Park Theological Seminary – Logan and Illinois River
• Northwestern – Sheridan
• Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project – Logan and Hill
• University of Chicago Supports Program – Logan
• University of Illinois’ Education Justice Project – Danville

 

The closure of Stateville changed the landscape of programs. Some programs have been unable to resume programming at a different IDOC facility (Northeastern and DePaul). Some programs are now only at a single facility, instead of multiple (UChicago). Some programs relocated, but cannot offer the same depth/breadth of programming (PNAP to Hill and North Park to Illinois River). Some programs have relocated and relaunched, though some students have been left behind (Northwestern).

If anything, programs have shrunk and Pell, so far, has not led to more. There is, however, now access to Higher Education in Prison (HEP) at Illinois River, a facility that did not have access before. As for Pell, the only update is Lewis University was approved by the Department of Education in February 2025 as a federally recognized PEP.

CAN YOU SEND THE REPORT FROM THE RESENTENCING TASK FORCE? 

We are unable to send the report, which is 36 pages long. If your loved one would like to send it to you they can find it on the Illinois Policy Sentencing Advisory Council website, spac.illinois.gov/publications (look under “Research Reports” and the year 2022).

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?

We are currently coordinating with the IDOC, to have the Family Liaison as a guest on our Loved Ones Self Advocacy Series. We do not have a date from DOC yet, please have your loved one check our website for the date.

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.

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 February 2025, the PRB members are: Jared Bohland, Matthew Coates, William Delgado, Julie Globokar, Darryldean Goff, 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

April 2025

• Hearings: April 8 – 10, 2025. Hearings will be held at a location to be determined in Chicago.
• Petition Filing Deadline: January 22, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.

 

July 2025

• Hearings: July 8 – 10, 2025. Hearings will be held at a location to be determined in Chicago.
• Petition Filing Deadline: April 24, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.

 

October 2025

• Hearings: October 7 – 9, 2025. Hearings will be held at a location to be determined in Chicago.
• Petition Filing Deadline: July 24, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.

 

HOW CAN I BE ADDED TO NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST?

There are 2 ways to be added if you are incarcerated

1. Mail Restore Justice 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

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: 

• April 16th, 1 to 3 p.m. in person (Wednesday)
• May 13th, 1 to 2 p.m. – Zoom
• June 10th, 1 to 3 p.m. – in person
• July 8th, 1 to 2 p.m. Zoom

 

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:  May 20, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 23, October 28, 2025

LOVED ONES’ SELF-ADVOCACY TRAINING

We held six training sessions 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:

• April 22nd – 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. – Higher Education in Prison
• June 17th – 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. – Who to Contact When Things Go Wrong
• August, October, and December, specific times and dates are to be determined. Please have your loved ones check our webpage for updates.

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

******SUMMER TRAINING DATES TBD****** 

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. 

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LEGISLATORS ADVOCACY TRAINING

******SUMMER TRAINING DATES TBD****** 

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

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 Yall. As always, I have to tell yall how I see it! In this entry, I have to speak about the Mud Theatre Project. One huge shout-out to Brian Beals, aka Friday. He’s the new apprentice in Restore Justice’s Future Leaders Apprenticeship Program (FLAP) and Executive Director of Mud Theatre Project. Recently, as mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, we had the opportunity to collaborate with the Mud Theatre Project to deliver a powerful message about Retroactivity, our organization’s new North Star.

I’ve seen Searching for Justice twice. Once, at Steppenwolf, and the crowd was sold out; the second time, in Springfield before a smaller group of people. Both performances were equally powerful. A big salute to the cast: Queen, Darrion, Toussaint, DF and King Moosa. I’m so honored to be a part of this collaboration and be able to bring art and advocacy together in this creative way. Then, to uplift the talents that exist in our system-impacted community, this is Epic. Look Yall! System-impacted individuals led every aspect of this project. The entire cast is system-impacted. Searching for Justice is everything we thought it would be. Amazing! Buckle up, y’all. Mud Theatre Project is about to impact the Social Justice space enormously. Believe that.  And on that, Peace… Forever in Solidarity, Wendell

Julie Anderson, Outreach Director, Greetings, I hope you are doing well. I want you to know we hear you and we realize how difficult things are. From what I understand, the new tablets and phone calls are not up and running, and people are having difficulty calling home. We are working hard to find the answers to the questions all of your loved ones and you have. One of my main priorities this year is to preserve your physical mail. As you can see from our legislative agenda, we have a lot on our plate. Making the youthful parole bill retroactive is also top on our list. I went to a parole hearing the other day, and a man who had been incarcerated for over 35 years was unanimously granted parole. It was beautiful to see his family and friends rejoicing. 30 years ago when my son was first incarcerated (he’s been home now almost 2 years) there were not many organizations out there working to reduce extreme sentences and bring people home. But there are so many good people doing the work now, many of whom have been incarcerated and know first hand what it is, and also how important it is to stay connected to their loved ones. We are planning some Loved Ones Self Advocacy Sessions; we will have a few sessions with the Directors Office, as well as sessions on Higher Education in Prison, Transfers, and Medical Issues. Please have your loved ones check our website for days and times. All the sessions are on Zoom so people located anywhere in Illinois are able to attend. restorejustice.org, and they can click Our Work. I look forward to seeing and meeting many of them. Yours in Solidarity – Julie

Lindsey Hammond, Policy Director, Hello! We are wrapping up this newsletter as the 104th General Assembly is underway, and we are working diligently to ensure as many legislative priorities as possible advance. I’m very excited about legislation to create retroactive youthful resentencing opportunities. This work is a continuation of the previous youthful parole bills to ensure that many of you can have an opportunity for your sentence to be reviewed. One of the biggest obstacles we must overcome is educating lawmakers about the importance of this issue. We recently launched two significant projects to help educate and raise awareness of the urgency of passing legislation. You have already learned about the amazing Searching for Justice play written and performed by Mud Theatre. We are also proud of the project “More Than A Conviction: Stories of Children Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Illinois.” This multi-year project shares the insights and lived experiences of formerly and currently incarcerated people and their loved ones. It also highlights journeys of transformation and success. It is an incredible testimony of hope, and we hope it will inform and inspire legislative changes for more compassion-centered policies. Please continue to advocate and write to your legislators. Your letters make a huge difference in helping to educate and build momentum for change. Peace, hope, and blessings!

Alice Swan, Managing Director, Hi everyone, I hope that the slowly lengthening days and warming weather is bringing some cheer to your lives. It’s hard to believe that it’s already the end of March–things around RJ have been really busy so far in 2025, in the best of possible ways. Producing Searching for Justice with Brian and the other Mud Theatre folks has been an incredible experience–I am blown away by the talent that they possess, and am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them. And, as Lindsey mentioned, the “More Than a Conviction” project has been a long journey that I’m incredibly proud to have helped launch into the world. The legislative session is keeping us on our toes on a daily basis, and I hope that we will have more good news to share at its end.

Tamala Allen, Development Manager, Hello everyone! My name is Tamala Allen, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new Development Manager at Restore Justice. I am excited to be part of this incredible organization and to support the important work of advocating for justice, fairness, and compassion. My role is to help ensure we have the resources to continue fighting for meaningful change and to support the efforts that uplift your voices. I want you to know that you matter, and the work we do is deeply rooted in the belief that every person deserves dignity, hope, and a future. I look forward to helping build a stronger movement for justice.

James Swansey, Policy Manager, Hello to everyone! It always makes me feel good to be able to reach back and give back. It has been a great 4 years since I have been home, and I must say that I learn something new everyday, about life and also myself. As I advocate for those who are incarcerated, I always make sure to let people know that there are so many incarcerated brothers and sisters that deserve a chance to show who they have become today. We will continue to do all that we can by consistently finding ways to make a difference. I have really settled into learning this process of policy and learning the legislative system. This is something I look forward to being able to give back so that you too can understand it better. Until then, always keep ya head up, stay focused and keep working on you!

Lizzie Lewandowski, Communications Manager, Hello everyone! 2025 has been off to a remarkable start. I’m so grateful for our partnership with Mud Theatre Project. Working alongside Brian and the Mud Theatre Project ensemble on Searching for Justice has allowed all of us to experience their extraordinary talent and passion. I first encountered their work when I was an intern at Restore Justice in 2023: I had the opportunity to attend a performance of The Story of Violence at Dixon Correctional Center. Searching for Justice stands on its own and brings our work to life on stage, and it is also a sequel to The Story of Violence. Their performance of Searching for Justice at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago feels like an exciting new chapter for all of us. While Restore Justice works to uproot “tough-on-crime” policies of the past, Mud Theatre Project is planting new roots of creativity and transformation in our communities.

Brian Beals, Apprentice, Hi everyone, it feels like I am not so far removed from waiting to read the newsletter myself. Being selected for the Future Leaders Apprentice Program, FLAP, has been a great experience for me. I’ve learned so much about the organization and its advocacy work. Most importantly, I’ve learned the importance of organizational integrity and how that impacts the mission and goals of the organization. I have been a part of strategic planning meetings, given a presentation to the board, and lobbied in Springfield. I’ve also volunteered to pack bags for incarcerated people at Willow Creek Church and so many more amazing experiences. Every FLAP participant is given a project. Because I joined this team as the Executive Director of the Mud Theatre Project, my project was to produce a play that emphasized the importance of legislation that RJ advocates for. That project led to a performance at Steppenwolf Theatre, and also a follow up performance at the Legacy Theatre in Springfield, Illinois. Our project combined art and advocacy in a unique way that we hope will lead to legislative and social change. The training I am receiving at RJ is designed to build Mud Theatre Project into a productive and sustainable organization that exemplifies the same integrity and values that make Restore Justice such a great organization. I am both humbled and grateful for this opportunity.

GREETINGS FROM OUR INTERNS:      

Juliet Stills, Hey everyone! I am a social work graduate student at the University of Chicago and am graduating this spring. I hope to spend my career advocating for a more humane criminal legal system, so I feel so blessed to have had the pleasure of interning with Restore Justice over the past year. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to legislators at the Capitol about important reforms, write press releases and policy memos about our bills, help out at advocacy trainings with your loved ones, submit Freedom of Information Act requests to (try to) hold the IDOC accountable, and much more. It has been inspiring to learn from people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system and are tirelessly fighting for their community. I hope you all are doing as well as you can be. I am thinking of you!

Kaylie Moss, Hello! It’s great to meet you all! I’m an intern here at Restore Justice and a Master’s of Social Work student at the University of Chicago. I have really enjoyed learning from all the staff at RJ and diving into criminal legal reform policies, including protecting physical mail. I’ve had the opportunity to read many of your letters and am grateful for your thoughts, questions, and wisdom. It is important to me that policies are grounded in people’s lived experiences and I hope to take this with me into my career. Wishing you all peace and joy.

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