Legislation Eliminating Barriers for Returning Residents Signed into Law

Legislation Eliminating Barriers for Returning Residents Signed into Law

Secretary of State’s Office to Provide Free ID Cards to Re-Entry Applicants

Broadcast Quality Video Download of Press Conference

An initiative championed by Illinois State Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office that removes barriers for individuals to successfully return following incarceration was signed into law today by Governor JB Pritzker.

The new law simplifies and speeds up the process to obtain a free state ID for incarcerated people, eliminating barriers and equipping them with a critical component for successful re-entry following their release from jail or prison.

The legislation builds on Giannoulias’ Restorative Justice Initiative, which his office has implemented and includes funding for Illinois Department of Corrections libraries and helping newly released individuals to obtain their driver’s licenses and secure employment. As part of this new initiative, Giannoulias’ office will host a series of educational seminars with correctional facilities to help increase awareness and participation in the program.

Giannoulias helped draft Senate Bill 2803, which was sponsored by State Senator Chris Belt (57th Senate District—Swansea) and State Representative Justin Slaughter (27th House District—Chicago).

“Access to opportunities and basic needs is critical for successful re-entry following incarceration,” Giannoulias said. “It starts with having a valid ID, which is necessary to secure everything from employment to housing, healthcare and a bank account. This law reduces recidivism by providing stability and accessibility for those seeking to overcome the challenges presented by this transition and setting them up for success.”

“Individuals who have served their time in a correctional facility deserve an opportunity to find housing, employment, and other necessary steps towards avoiding recidivism and getting back on track towards a successful civilian life, none of which is possible without access to identification,” said Governor Pritzker. “By simplifying that process, we’re empowering people to make choices about their futures with the necessary tools in their arsenal to become contributing, law-abiding members of our society.”

“In order to ensure individuals are set up for a successful re-entry, we need to break down the existing hurdles that are presented following release,” Belt said. “This legislation will help us provide people with the simple – but essential – tool of an ID card and reduce the barriers they face upon release.”

“Re-entering already comes with a host of challenges. Obtaining an ID card is a challenge we can easily remedy that has a significant impact,” Slaughter said. “An ID card is often the ticket to many programs that assist with ensuring a successful re-entry process and should not be difficult or challenging to obtain.”

“Making sure individuals re-entering have an ID card in-hand is a simple but extremely impactful way we can help set people up for success,” said State Senator Robert Peters (13th Senate District—Chicago), a chief co-sponsor of the bill who has been a strong advocate for the program. “I’m thrilled we are simplifying this process and making having an ID card a reality for more people.”

The new law enables individuals to bypass long wait times and red tape associated with obtaining documents required for a state ID, which has been a major obstacle:

Gives the Secretary of State’s office the authority to waive the requirement for a certified birth certificate as proof of identity and confirmation of date of birth if the person has previously held an Illinois driver’s license or ID card. This will greatly reduce the amount of paperwork and time it takes for individuals to obtain an ID card because they will not need to contact their county of birth to receive a new copy of their birth certificate. Applicants, especially those born out-of-state, may also face issues of paying for the new copy and getting it sent to their facility.

Allows the office to waive the requirement for a Social Security card if the Secretary of State’s office can verify the person’s Social Security number directly with the federal Social Security Administration. In the past, prospective applicants were required to wait until they were less than 180 days prior to their release before applying for a replacement card and could not apply for their ID until they had their replacement card.

Applies to all Illinois Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice and – for the first time – Federal Correctional Facilities as well as County jails in the state. Each jurisdiction is provided with the option to opt out.

Simplifies the process and removes the fees for individuals who previously did not have an Illinois driver’s license or ID card and enables them to either obtain a state ID or temporary card within 30 days of their release date, as well as receive a standard hard card in the mail.

The legislation builds on the success of partnerships between the Secretary of State’s office and the Illinois Department of Corrections as well as a pilot launched earlier this year with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s office.

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