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Senate Bill 423 will also update state law regarding drug testing prior to parole hearings, as drug tests will only be required if there is reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use.
“Centering those closest to the problems as the experts by community, in community, and for community comes up with the best solutions that have the best outcomes,” said Avalon Betts-Gaston, director of the Illinois Alliance for Reentry and Justice.
Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) said his legislation could expand education and job training credits for incarcerated people to become eligible for mandatory supervised release sooner.
The plan also requires the Prisoner Review Board to provide a list of steps or requirements a person must complete or meet to be granted early discharge. People on parole or mandatory supervised release can petition the Review Board to grant them early discharge once they meet those requirements.