SB 1103: Restore Cuts made to Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Last Updated (Tuesday, 18 November 2008 17:51) Written by Administrator Thursday, 16 October 2008 18:01

Email Governor Blagojevich and ask him to sign SB 1103 to restore cuts made to treatment programs for drug and alcohol Addiction.

Status: Both the Illinois House and Senate recently voted to restore $55 million in cuts made to treatment programs, while also identifying a revenue source to support restoration. This move awaits the Governor’s approval.

Background: Recently Governor Blagojevich cut the Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) budget by $55 million. This portion of  DASA’s budget is matched dollar-for-dollar by the federal government, causing an additional $55 million dollar loss. This means DASA’s work of addressing the needs of at-risk or addicted individuals and their families has been severely hindered.

Tell Governor Blagojevich:  As a person of faith and citizen of Illinois, I believe that it is vital to the safety of our state and the well being of our families and communities that we provide treatment to people suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. Please sign SB 1103 to provide the necessary appropriation to restore full funding to the Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Our families, communities, and state are counting on you.

HB 2747: Pastoral Visits for Immigrants in Detention Facilities

Last Updated (Tuesday, 18 November 2008 17:51) Written by Administrator Thursday, 16 October 2008 17:25

Find your state senator and call or email them today and tell them to co-sponsor HB 2747 to allow pastoral visitation for immigrants in detention.

Status: HB 2747 has passed the Illinois House of Representatives and is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

Background: Currently, immigrants in detention, many of whom are simply waiting for a decision on their petitions for asylum or have no criminal record, are allowed virtually no pastoral visits. HB 2747 would provide that religious workers be allowed reasonable access to immigrant detainees who wish for spiritual counseling or accompaniment.

HB 6651: Ending Indefinite Solitary Confinement

Last Updated (Tuesday, 18 November 2008 17:51) Written by Administrator Thursday, 16 October 2008 17:06

Find your state representative and call or email to tell them to co-sponsor and actively support HB 6651 which seeks to end indefinite sentences of solitary confinement and establish clear criteria for deciding who should be transferred to Tamms supermax prison.

Status: HB 6651 is currently in the House Rules Committee.

Background: In 1998 the Tamms supermax facility was opened as a short term, last resort facility for inmates who were a danger to others. Now, ten years later, over one-third of the original prisoners remain there. They have lived in isolation 24/7 with no human contact, no phone calls and no communal activity, at a cost of $90,000 a year per prisoner. 

For more background, see Tamms Year Ten.

SB 2879: Services for Children with Incarcerated Parents

Last Updated (Tuesday, 18 November 2008 17:51) Written by Administrator Thursday, 16 October 2008 16:55

Status: SB 2879, a bill that would provide information on services available to children with a parent in prison, passed both houses of the legislature unanimously, but is currently stalled in the House Rules Committee (as are many other bills), due to disagreements between the Speaker of the House and the Governor over gubernatorial rule making authority unrelated to this particular bill.

Background: Approximately 90,000 children in Illinois currently have one or both parents in prison. Children with incarcerated parents are often left behind and forgotten by our current criminal justice system. SB2879 would provide much needed information on vital services to children in Illinois who have a parent in prison.