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Weaver sponsoring bill for inmates in re-entry facilities to gain access to job building sites

Republican Chuck Weaver has introduced a bill in the Illinois Senate this week that would give prison inmates some access to job building websites as they prepare to re-enter society.

The measure’s aim is to increase the occupational prospects of inmates as they are moved to re-entry facilities and as a result reduce recidivism.

Weaver says it’s appropriate that people who commit crimes are punished but it’s not a good thing if the incarcerated can’t get jobs after they’re released.

Weaver’s legislation was inspired by a Peoria facility and the Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center. Individuals in these programs are learning employable skills like welding.

Now Weaver wants to grant these people the ability to keep up with the current job market via the web.

“The ability for these individuals to find out what jobs are available and also prepare themselves for the job is hurting all of us, because it’s putting people back in prison and on the cost of society.”

Weaver is the only sponsor right now for SB156.

If it does become law the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Director of Innovation and Technology would come up with protocols and logistics for how inmates would access sites.

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