IL HJR0007

Expresses Illinois House and Senate support for the federal Abolition Amendment, which would remove the "punishment" clause from the 13th Amendment that currently allows incarcerated individuals to be used as unpaid labor.

Documents that the 13th Amendment's slavery loophole has been exploited to criminalize and incarcerate Black and Brown Americans, with incarcerated labor estimated at a minimum annual value of $2 billion to the U.S. economy.

Notes that major corporations including Walmart, AT&T, Whole Foods, and Victoria's Secret have utilized incarcerated populations for business operations while inmates receive little to no compensation.

States that ending the slavery loophole would represent a critical step toward addressing systemic racism in the nation and ensuring no American is subject to involuntary servitude.

Directs delivery of copies of this resolution to the President, U.S. Senate leadership, U.S. House leadership, and all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.