Governor signs bill that will put lives back on track

Senate Bill 3007 aims to reduce recidivism and give ex-offenders more opportunities to find jobs         

[FEB. 12, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- By his recent signing Senate Bill 3007, which allows certain criminal records to be sealed, Gov. Blagojevich took action to help some former offenders rebuild their lives and become fully productive members of society.

"By sealing these records, we give people who are struggling to find jobs more opportunities to obtain lawful employment," Gov. Blagojevich said. "These individuals have paid their debt to society and should be offered every opportunity to straighten their lives out. For those who are starting to get their lives back on track, it's essential that they have an opportunity to make an honest living.

"I want to especially thank Senator John Cullerton and Representative Connie Howard for their leadership," he added.

Senate Bill 3007, sponsored by Sen. John J. Cullerton, D-Chicago, and Rep. Connie Howard, D-Chicago, amends the Criminal Identification Act and is similar to Senate Bill 788, which was signed during last year's session, but goes one step further by allowing Class 4 felony substance abuse and prostitution violations to be sealed.

"I am very happy that the governor is willing to give people who made a mistake in their past a second chance for employment," Sen. Cullerton said. "I would like to praise the people in the community who wish to break the cycle of poverty and lobbied so hard for this bill."

"To the say the least, I am ecstatic that the Governor is signing this bill today," Rep. Howard said. "Through this legislation I am confident that many of our citizens in the state of Illinois that have made mistakes will have an opportunity to become employed and productive citizens. I am appreciative of the governor for his positive action on behalf of the people of Illinois."

The bill includes several provisions to protect public safety, including requiring offenders who have been placed on supervision or convicted to have three to four years of good behavior before getting their records sealed, giving law enforcement access to the sealed records, and allowing employers to check a relevant sealed felony record if another law requires that the employer check the person's background.

Senate Bill 3007 is supported by several community organizations, including Target Area Development Corp., and by the Cook County state's attorney. The bill was negotiated with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

"This is a victory for all the community groups that have struggled to maintain public safety, as this bill provides relief to a population of people who otherwise are virtually unemployable," said Patricia Watkins, executive director of the Target Area Development Corp. and convener of the Developing Justice Coalition. "Removing barriers to employment for low-level drug offenders is a wise fiscal move, as it will reduce recidivism and save precious resources for the state of Illinois. More importantly, it scores a great victory for human rights for residents of this state and provides a tool whereby men and women can have a second chance to succeed at becoming productive, tax-paying members of society."

The legislation stipulates that a person seeking the sealing of substance abuse records must provide proof of passing a drug test within one month of the request. The bill also guarantees that offenders cannot have a felony sealed if they already have a pre-existing sealed felony, and it allows prosecutors and the police an opportunity to object to the sealing of a record.

Senate Bill 3007 takes effect June 1 and requires that the system is operational within a year of funds being made available by the General Assembly.

[News release from the governor's office]