Chicago Indymedia : http://chicago.indymedia.org/archive
Chicago Indymedia

LOCAL News :: Civil & Human Rights : Crime & Police : Drugs : Elections & Legislation : Labor : Prisons

Sealing, Not Expungement, Most Likely for Records of Offender Job-Seekers

CHICAGO, Nov. 15 (Chicago IMC) -- "This bill is very big," said Richard Camp, a health care worker, after an extended Q-and-A session with an assemblage at a Salvation Army in Uptown. "Many people are so enthused about it."
Senate Bill 3007 appears destined to become law, with Governor Blagojevich reportedly in favor of signing it. The Illinois state Senate passed the bill last Wednesday which would allow job-seekers to prevent employers from seeing misdemeanors and Class 4 felonies when they make considerations for employment. Class 4 felonies cover non-violent, low-quantity drug possessions and prostitution. A court would have discretion in deciding whether or not to seal these records while law enforcement would continue to retain access.

A coalition of activists has been pushing for 2-1/2 years for a complete expungement of criminal records that would prevent employment, but still see SB 3007 as a big step.

"Other crimes, too, should be sealable, like burglary, domestic violence, and aggravated battery," said Camp, "but not rape and murder. Anyone can wind up where they go to aggravated battery, but once you've harmed someone for life, that should stay forever."

Part of the bill calls for an ongoing study of recidivism among those whose records are sealed. The study will be produced jointly by the Illinois departments of Employment Security and Corrections, to be completed by September 2006.

"Anytime you can get people back to work, it's an asset to the community," said Camp. "Many will benefit knowing they can go out and get a paycheck. That guy over there -- even at minimum wage, with money in his pocket, things will happen if they can get an opportunity, for all people with criminal backgrounds."

Patricia Watkins, Convener of the Developing Justice Coalition and Executive Director of Target Area Development Corp., looks forward to seeing the implementation of SB 3007 as a new tool that will help improve neighborhoods and reduce recidivism.

The Developing Justice Coalition includes Ambassadors for Christ Church, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Community Renewal Society, Developing Communities Project, Foster Park Neighborhood Council, Garfield Area Partnership, Global Outreach Ministries, ACORN, Innercity Muslim Action Network, Northwest Neighborhood Federation, Organization of the North East, Southwest Organizing Project, Target Area Development Corp., SERCommon Good.
 
 

Donate

Views

Account Login

Media Centers

 

This site made manifest by dadaIMC software