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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DESIGNATING APRIL AS SECOND CHANCE MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, redemption and second chances are values of the United States; and
WHEREAS, every individual is endowed with human dignity and value; and
WHEREAS, millions of citizens of the United States have a criminal record; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of individuals return to their communities from Federal and States prisons annually; and
WHEREAS, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. proclaimed the month of April 2023 as Second Chance Month; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Danny K. Davis IL-7 was the chief sponsor of the 2nd chance act and championing its funding, and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Dennis Deer 2nd District served as Co-Chair of the 7th Congressional Districts criminal justice taskforce which initiated the grassroots effort for passage of the Second Chance Act, and
WHEREAS, individuals returning from Federal and State prisons have paid their debt for committing crimes but still face significant legal and societal barriers; and
WHEREAS, individuals returning to their communities from Federal and State prisons gaining meaningful employment is one of the most significant predictors of successful re-entry and has been shown to reduce future criminal activity; and
WHEREAS, many individuals who have been incarcerated struggle to find employment because of collateral consequences, which are often not directly related to the offenses the individuals committed or any proven public safety benefit; and
WHEREAS, many states have laws that prohibit an individual with a criminal record from working in certain industries or obtaining professional licenses; and
WHEREAS, in addition to employment, education has also been shown to be significant predictor of successful reentry for individuals returning from Federal and State prisons; and
WHEREAS, an individual who has been convicted of certain crimes is often barred from receiving the financial aid necessary to acquire additional skills a...
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