IL HB0698

Establishes a 5-year pilot Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program within the Department of Corrections to teach inmates business skills including computer skills, budgeting, business planning, public speaking, and goal setting.

Limits program participation to inmates within 3 years of release who have a high school diploma or GED, no disciplinary records in the past year, are not gang-affiliated, and have never been convicted of sex offenses or child pornography crimes.

Grants program participants full ownership and intellectual property rights to all products they create, prohibiting the Department of Corrections from selling, using, or controlling any participant-created products without written consent.

Provides for post-release assistance including resume writing, job searching, networking events, and mock interviews for program graduates who receive a Certificate of Completion.

Sunsets the program 5 years after the effective date and makes all funding subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.