IL HJR0027

Creates the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force to analyze existing data on higher education programming (HEP) in state prisons, identify barriers and opportunities, and recommend a legislative action plan to expand access

Task Force membership includes 22 members: the Governor or designee as Chair, representatives from IDOC, Board of Higher Education, Community College Board, Criminal Justice Information Authority, four legislators, academic officers, HEP administrators/instructors, formerly incarcerated HEP participants, and corrections monitoring organization representatives

Task Force must hold at least six meetings, with all appointments made within 30 days of adoption, and submit a final report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 31, 2022

Urges IDOC to train correctional staff on HEP values, implement transfer holds for enrolled students until course completion, and encourage all eligible incarcerated persons to apply regardless of offense, sentence length, or time remaining

Urges IDOC to allow participation in multiple higher education programs concurrently or consecutively and not limit opportunities to only those with high school diplomas or equivalencies