Bill > SB1771

This bill creates the Securing All Futures through Equitable Reinvestment (SAFER) Communities Act, which aims to reduce unemployment among formerly incarcerated individuals and support small businesses by providing financial incentives for employers who hire people with felony conviction records. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will establish a wage reimbursement pilot program that awards grants to "Navigators" (certified organizations with workforce development expertise) to help formerly incarcerated individuals reenter the workforce. Employers can receive wage reimbursements of 50% (or 75% if the job is in a disproportionately impacted area) for hiring eligible participants, with reimbursements lasting up to 12 consecutive months. To be eligible, participants must be Illinois residents who have been recently incarcerated, are currently unemployed or underemployed, and are accepted into the program by a Navigator. The bill requires Navigators to verify participant eligibility, provide support services like transportation and child care, and offer retention coaching. The Department of Corrections will be responsible for promoting awareness of the program in correctional facilities and during release processes. The program is set to run until December 31, 2035, and its implementation is subject to legislative appropriation, with the Department required to publish an annual report detailing the program's outcomes and impact.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1771&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104