Currently, several pieces of second chance legislation are being considered by the Illinois General Assembly. Specifically, the bills would benefit individuals who have a criminal background and want to work in health care or education. In March, I published an Op Ed piece in the Sun-Times, in which I urged public support for the legislation. Let's take a look at how these bills are doing.
Read MoreIn 2014, actor Mark Wahlberg applied for a pardon from then Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. By the time he turned 17, the actor committed several crimes. After reading his petition, I concluded Wahlberg did not deserve a pardon. I will explain why.
Read MoreDid you know that certain convictions will bar you from becoming a licensed health care worker in Illinois? In 2011, the state legislature amended the licensing code to prohibit anyone from obtaining or keeping a health care worker license due to certain crimes. Those crimes include: 1) sex offenses, 2) a battery to a patient (during treatment or care), and 3) a forcible felony (or attempt to commit).
Read MoreFor those who believe in second chances, 2014 was a good year for some Illinois residents, who have former Governor Pat Quinn to thank. During his tenure, which ended in January 2015, Governor Quinn would rule on 4,928 clemency petitions — the most of any Illinois governor.
Read MoreHow to expunge an arrest / criminal record in Illinois. Earlier this year I wrote about Illinois’ Ban-the-Box Law, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2015. I’d like to point out a few things I did not mention. First, the law includes a broad exception for employers who are prohibited under federal or state law from hiring someone who has committed certain criminal offenses. This exception covers school districts, law enforcement agencies, and healthcare providers, to name a few. Thus, if you are looking for work in these job sectors you will be asked to disclose your criminal history on a job application.
Read MoreNormally my posts address issues pertaining to people with criminal backgrounds. Today, however, I want to talk about something that happened to my brother a few months ago. My brother suffers from a mental illness. Like people who have a criminal history, people who are mentally ill struggle daily to gain acceptance in a society that rarely takes the time to get to them know - to see past the labels.
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