|
 Although 2016 saw numerous legislative battles,
persistent gridlock over the state budget, and a contentious election season, in
2016 lawmakers also passed important legislation with bipartisan support. Many
of the laws passed were vital criminal justice reforms that expand opportunities
for rehabilitated Illinoisans with criminal records. Others include reforms
centered on government accountability, which mandate the reporting of local
government employees’ dining, lodging and travel expenses. And other measures
will bring about some important pension reform.
Here are some of the positive changes coming to the Prairie State in January
2017:
Criminal justice and public safety reform
- House Bill 5017: This new law amends the
Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to expand opportunities for juveniles to have
court records for nonviolent offenses expunged. Previously, only limited
cases were eligible for expungement. The law also accelerates the timeline
in which juveniles can apply for expungement. Records can now be expunged as
soon as proceedings have concluded, instead of waiting until the individual
turns 21.
Senate Bill 5973: This law expands access to occupational licensing in three
occupations for citizens with criminal records by narrowing the scope of
offenses that can be considered in a license application to those directly
related to the occupation. This expands opportunity and allows former
offenders to return to work with fewer barriers.
- House Bill 3164: This law came out of the
recommendations from the Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and
Sentencing Reform. For offenses where probation is available, the law
encourages reduction of unnecessary prison sentences by requiring sentencing
review to determine whether prison is necessary based on aggravating
factors.
- House Bill 4515: This new law promotes
responsible re-entry of former offenders back into the health care field. It
changes how health care waivers for ex-offenders are displayed on the
registry website so that when someone is given a waiver that person is
simply listed as “eligible” instead of being red-flagged. It also removes
low-level cannabis possession from the list of disqualifying offenses.
[to top of second column] |
- House Bill 6328: This law expands
eligibility for expungement of arrests or charges that were vacated or
reversed or never resulted in prison time, and eliminates fees for certain
sealing and expungement petitions.
Government transparency and expense
reform
- House Bill 4379: This new law,
the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act, requires school
districts, community college districts and non-home rule units
of local government to regulate the reimbursement of all travel,
meal and lodging expenses of officers and employees. These
entities now must control the types of official business for
which travel, meal and lodging expenses are allowed, and set a
cap for reimbursement. Also, they must create a standardized
form for submitting travel, meal and lodging expenses. The law
prohibits reimbursing entertainment expenses – such as shows,
amusements, theaters, circuses and sporting events – for all
units of local government and school districts.
Pension reform
- House Bill 4259: This new
law restricts the definition of those who qualify for the
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, or IMRF, pension system.
People who aren’t full government employees, such as
employees of associations and nonprofits like the Illinois
Municipal League, Association of Park Districts, and county
governmental leagues, are no longer eligible to participate
in the IMRF.
Click here to respond to the editor about this article
|
