April 26, 2021
Reducing Barriers to Recovery
10:00 AM
Representative Carol Ammons joins us
ACTION
HB3447 passed in the House last week. Now, ask your state senator to vote YES on Reducing Barriers to Recovery.
BACKGROUND
This bill would: (1) reclassify the penalty for small-scale drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor; (2) create a new framework for diverting people from the criminal legal system to community-based treatment; and (3) allow expungement of records and retroactive resentencing to help people with past convictions move on with their lives. From 2016 to 2018, 20,000 Illinois residents were convicted of felonies for possessing small amounts of drugs, and 7,500 were imprisoned. Check out the fact sheet for more information.
SOCIAL MEDIA
#SupportHB3447 #EndStigma #DrugPolicy #EndOverdoseIL #EndTheWarOnDrugs
CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR!
Hello, I am _____________, a voting constituent in the Senator’s district.
I am calling to request that they support HB3447, Reducing Barriers to Recovery. By reducing the penalty for small-scale drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor., this bill accomplishes several positive things: (1) the people charged will be offered healthcare services rather than punishment; (2) they will be able to continue living and working in their communities; (3) they will not be labeled felons, a stigma that creates barriers in terms of access to education, housing, and employment.
ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS
Addresses racial inequities in our criminal justice system
Shifts resources from incarceration to helping people access health services
Enables people arrested for low-level drug possession to get the services they need while staying in their communities
LEAGUE POSITION
The League supports the concept of pretrial diversion. Legislation that reduces penalties for a crime should allow those incarcerated under the previous law a process to seek resentencing. The League believes the removal of unnecessary barriers encountered by people with criminal records would enable a successful return to society.
Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA)
10:15 AM
Representative Anna Moeller joins us
ACTION
Ask your state representative and your senator to vote YES on HB804/SB1718, the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). Thank them if they are already sponsoring it.
BACKGROUND
Several versions of the Clean Energy Jobs Act are being merged. The League wants to be sure that items listed in the talking points below are included in the final version of the bill. Check out the fact sheet for more information.
SOCIAL MEDIA
#CEJA #CEJACantWait
Call your Legislator!
Hello, I am ________, a voting constituent in the district. I am calling to request that Senator/Representative _________support the Clean Energy Jobs Act. I want the Illinois power sector to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy while supporting workers and communities impacted by the decline of the coal industry. I am in favor of a bill which invests in workforce development, thereby giving work to tens of thousands of Illinoisans. I also want the bill to address the needs of people currently living in environmental justice communities.
ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS
We want a bill that
invests in workforce development and contractor equity
puts tens of thousands of Illinoisans to work
brings clean energy to Black and Indigenous People of Color, low income, and environmental justice communities
expands energy efficiency programs
transitions the Illinois power sector from fossil fuels to clean energy while supporting energy workers and communities impacted by the decline of the coal industry
LEAGUE POSITION
The League supports the preservation of the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the ecosystem and maximum protection of public health and the environment.
Evidence-Based Funding for Education
10:30 AM
Melissa Figueira of Advance Illinois joins us
ACTION
Ask your state representative and senator to support including Evidence-Based Funding for Education in the budget.
BACKGROUND
Over half of the state’s students are learning in districts below 70% of full funding, including nearly 75% of Black and Latinx students and 44% of White students. The funding formula works! It drives 99% of new state dollars in any given year to districts below 90% of full funding. Check out the fact sheet for more information.
SOCIAL MEDIA
#FundTheFormula
CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR!
Hello, I am _____________a voting constituent in the district. I am calling to request that Senator/Representative _________support restoring Evidence-Based Funding for schools in the fiscal year 2022 budget. In the first 3 years after the Legislature promised to fund districts equitably, progress was made. But last year, no new funding was allocated, and over half of our students are now in schools funded at less than 70% of adequacy. . We cannot afford for the state to fall behind and fail our students again. An additional $350 million needs to be included in this year’s budget for Evidence-Based Funding for public school students.
ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS
An additional $350 million needs to be included in this year’s budget for the Evidence-Based Funding formula for public school students
In 2017, the General Assembly pledged to increase school funding each year by this amount to address the inequitable funding of education in Illinois
Last year, no new funding flowed to schools through the formula
Our students cannot afford for the state to fail to fund EBF again
Though federal money is helping with COVID-19 recovery this year, our schools need funds to hire and retain educators over a period of years
LEAGUE POSITION
The distribution of state funds to public elementary and secondary schools should reduce financial disparities between districts and increase equity for students and for taxpayers. The state should concentrate its efforts on raising the level of the financial resources of poorer districts.