IL HB4224

Requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to establish a remote work policy allowing incarcerated individuals to obtain gainful employment with private, approved employers

Eligibility requirements include: high school diploma or exemption, at least 30 days served at the facility, general population status, participation in vocational/educational programs, no disciplinary violations within 90 days, and no computer-related disciplinary infractions

Prohibits remote work for individuals with convictions involving computers (financial fraud, cybercrime, identity theft, human trafficking, terrorism), those barred from internet access, or work involving HIPAA-protected information or criminal justice data

Employers must pay incarcerated workers the same wage as non-incarcerated counterparts in equivalent roles, with compensation deposited directly into the individual's Department of Corrections account; employers must also provide workers' compensation coverage and comply with all state and federal labor laws

Incarcerated individuals may appeal denials or terminations from the remote work program by written letter to the Deputy Director within 15 days, with the Deputy Director's decision being final; effective January 1, 2027