| ACTION NEEDED: Contact your State Representative
in his/her home legislative office prior to returning to session
in Springfield, May 6, 2008. Ask your representative to vote
for passage of HB5516, which is on third reading. Passage
of this bill would amend the Unified Code of Corrections to
expand eligibility of people with criminal records who can
apply for license waivers (Certificates of Relief from Disability)
and rehabilitation waivers (Certificates of Good Conduct).
At one time a criminal record automatically prevented an individual
from receiving a license to practice certain occupations. Current
law provides an opportunity to review individual cases. Passage
of this bill would expand the eligibility of individuals who may
apply for waivers.
BACKGROUND: LWVIL supports passage of this
bill which amends the Unified Code of Corrections relating
to relief from disabilities automatically imposed by law.
It provides that the court may grant relief from forfeitures
for a person who has been convicted of a crime that does not
include an offense or attempted offense that would subject
the person to registration under various acts, such as the
Sex Offender Registration Act, arsonist Registration Act,
etc. The bill provides that a certificate of good conduct
may be granted to relieve an eligible offender of any employment-related
disability or to remove any bar to his or her employment.
If the bill becomes law, it will be effective June 1, 2008.
There is a companion bill in the Senate – SB2528.
BILL STATUS: HB5516 is on 3rd reading in
the House and must be voted on by May 9. Please take a few
minutes today to call your state representative in her/his
home office and ask for a Yes Vote for HB5516.
For more information on this bill or to obtain your representative’s
name and contact information, log on to
www.ilga.gov.
Thank you for taking action.
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