| March 17, 2010
ISSUE: Census
and Criminal Justice What does HB 4650 propose to change?
The act proposes to change the way in which the Census Bureau would count inmates in Illinois prisons. Currently, inmates are counted where they are incarcerated. HB 4650 proposes to count inmates in Illinois at their last known address.
In February the Census Bureau gave states the ability to decide where prisoners should be counted. Florida, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin are also considering similar legislation.
Why is this important to the League?
- Federal funds, based on Census data, would be allocated to the community from which the inmates come. The League is working to ease the reentry of thousands of offenders released each year by the Department of Corrections. The majority return to communities struggling with poverty and lack of resources.
- Congressional and legislative districts could be redrawn to reflect this population.
TAKE ACTION:
On February 3 the bill was placed on 2nd reading short debate.
The announced deadline for passage out of the House is March 26. Current House sponsors include: LaShawn K. Ford, Mary E. Flowers, John A. Fritchey, Kenneth Dunkin, Monique D. Davis and Elaine Nekritz.
Please contact your state representative and urge him or her to co-sponsor this legislation. Contact information for your representative can be found at: http://www.ilga.gov/house/.
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