summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Securing All Futures through Equitable Reinvestment (SAFER) Communities Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create a program to award grants to Navigators for specified purposes, including wage reimbursements for employers that employ certain formerly incarcerated individuals. Contains provisions concerning requirements for wage reimbursements. Provides that "Navigator" means an entity that has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in administering workforce development programs for formerly incarcerated participants and is certified by the Department as a Navigator. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to adopt emergency rules to implement the Securing All Futures through Equitable Reinvestment (SAFER) Communities Act. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill creates the Securing All Futures through Equitable Reinvestment (SAFER) Communities Act, a pilot program designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals reenter the workforce and support small businesses in Illinois. The program will award grants to "Navigators" (certified organizations with workforce development expertise) to provide wage reimbursements to employers who hire eligible participants with felony conviction records. Specifically, employers can receive 50% (or 75% in disproportionately impacted areas) of a participant's wages for up to 12 months, with requirements that the participant be hired full-time, receive comparable benefits and wages to other employees, and that the employer maintain or increase their total number of full-time Illinois employees. Eligible participants must be Illinois residents who were unemployed or underemployed, have served a prison sentence within the last 10 years, and be accepted into the program by a Navigator. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will manage the program, collect data on participant outcomes, and the Department of Corrections will help promote awareness of the program among eligible individuals. The bill is set to be in effect until December 31, 2035, and its implementation is subject to appropriate funding.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (7)
Justin Slaughter (D)*,
Michael Crawford (D),
Marcus Evans (D),
La Shawn Ford (D),
Barbara Hernandez (D),
Lilian Jiménez (D),
Kevin Olickal (D),
Last Action
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (on 05/20/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3491&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB3491.htm |
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