Pritzker signs measure easing supervisory release conditions

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Illinois: Governor Pritzker Signs Law to Reform Criminal Justice System

Introduction

In his latest effort to change the way the criminal justice system operates in Illinois, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed into law a measure that loosens restrictions on people who remain under state supervision after being released from prison.

Reforming Parole and Mandatory Supervised Release

The new law modifies the conditions required to complete the final steps of a sentence, also known as parole and mandatory supervised release, which have historically ranged from mandatory drug testing to the need for permission to leave the state.

Support for Criminal Justice Reforms

The measure is part of a larger pattern of reforms championed by Pritzker and his progressive allies in the Illinois General Assembly that are meant to combat mass incarceration and make the justice process more fair. One of the most controversial of those changes, the elimination of cash bail, was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court earlier this month.

Bipartisan Support for the Legislation

Unlike many of those measures, however, the legislation Pritzker signed Friday garnered bipartisan support as it breezed through both chambers of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly this spring.

Signing Ceremony and Remarks

On Friday, Pritzker led a signing ceremony in Chicago’s North Lawndale community alongside the main House sponsor of the legislation, Peoria Democrat and Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth, and a number of others, including rapper and criminal justice reform activist Meek Mill.

“Our current supervision system too often operates unfairly with rules that make it simply a revolving door back to jail,” Pritzker said, adding that many people have ended up back behind bars due to a “noncriminal, technical violation.”

“That’s not a system designed to improve public safety. That’s not a system that’s promoting rehabilitation. It’s a system that values reincarceration,” he said.

Key Reforms in the New Law

• Drug Testing: Under the new law, people on parole and mandatory supervised release would no longer be required to take a drug test as part of their conditions for release unless reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use can be documented.
• Educational Standards: The Illinois Prisoner Review Board must now reduce by 90 days a person’s supervisory release term if the individual attains an associate degree or vocational technical certification or earns other educational standards.
• Remote Check-Ins: The law allows people under supervision to meet with state officials for their regular check-ins by phone or other electronic communication instead of in person, removing obstacles to child care and employment.

Impact on Employment Opportunities

“This is a community that has always wanted to work, but the stigma associated with having a criminal record and then being incarcerated makes it hard for individuals to secure employment,” said Brenda Palms, the president and CEO of the North Lawndale Employment Network, where Friday’s bill signing took place.

Meek Mill’s Support

The event was an upbeat affair, largely due to the appearance by Meek Mill, who spent a chunk of his adult life on probation following his arrest as a teenager. Onlookers had their phones ready to catch a photo of the Philadelphia-raised rap sensation as he talked about his drug and gun case.

Continued Reform Efforts

During his reelection bid last year, Pritzker had to fend off intense criticism from Republicans who accused him and other Democrats of pushing soft-on-crime policies. However, with Democrats cementing control of all aspects of state government in the November election, the GOP has been unable to stop Pritzker’s reform agenda.

Conclusion

Governor Pritzker’s signing of the new law represents another step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Illinois. By reforming the criminal justice system and promoting fairness, rehabilitation, and public safety, Illinois is making progress towards SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. These reforms aim to reduce mass incarceration, eliminate cash bail, and provide opportunities for education and employment, contributing to a more equitable society.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses criminal justice reform efforts in Illinois, which are aimed at making the justice process more fair and combatting mass incarceration. These efforts align with SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

The article mentions reforms such as loosening restrictions on people under state supervision after being released from prison and eliminating cash bail. These reforms aim to promote equal access to justice and improve the fairness of the criminal justice system, aligning with Target 16.3. Additionally, the article highlights the bipartisan support for these reforms, indicating progress towards developing effective and accountable institutions (Target 16.6).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 16.3: Proportion of population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism.
• Indicator for Target 16.6: Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, to measure progress towards Target 16.3, data on the proportion of individuals who have accessed formal or informal dispute resolution mechanisms can be collected. For Target 16.6, the existence and compliance of independent national human rights institutions can be assessed.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: chicagotribune.com

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