FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2023
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Illinois Passes HB 1119 Informed by Young Advocates’ Recommendations
(Springfield, IL) – Last night, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 1119, which amends the membership of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) to include two individuals who report having been incarcerated.
This piece of legislation comes from recommendations from Young Invincibles’ Young Advocates Program (YAP) alumni Adella Bass-Lawson, CeCe Kilgore, and Cenia Villasenor. Young Invincibles Midwest trains young adults ages 18-34 in Illinois on advocacy and leadership through YAP, a 12-week, paid training program. At the end of the program, Young Advocates present a policy proposal employing their honed skills.
As part of the Fall 2022 YAP cohort, the group created and pitched a policy proposal to ensure residents with lived experience in the Illinois criminal justice system, who are disproportionately Black and Latinx men, are guaranteed to be included in the policymaking process for future reforms.
Ensuring that those with lived experience help shape future policy recommendations is critical. The bill now goes to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk for him to sign.
In response, Will Guzzardi, Illinois State Representative and bill sponsor issued the following response:
“The youth leaders from Young Invincibles identified a crucial issue in state law: decisions about our criminal legal policies should be informed by people with lived experience in that system. By adding formerly incarcerated people to the board of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, we’re beginning to incorporate that expertise into our decision-making. I’m proud to have carried this legislation in the House, and I’m inspired by the insight and the vision of the leaders who partnered with me on it.”
In response, CeCe Kilgore, bill inspiration and Young Advocate Program alumni from Young Invincibles said:
“The progression of HB 1119 during this legislative session brings me absolute joy. My colleagues, Adella and Cenia, and I worked tirelessly on this bill recommendation because we understand the power of engaging those with lived experience in the decision-making process.
The reality is that previously incarcerated individuals are the experts and the ones directly impacted by ICJIA policies, systems, and processes. The opportunity for them to join those decision-makers promotes equity, positive systematic change, and provides them with an opportunity to share the realities behind prison bars.
James Baldwin said it best, ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.’”
In response, Hannah Keller, Midwest Policy Manager at Young Invincibles said:
“We must always listen to the voices of those that are closest to an issue if we want to make positive change. HB 1119 will be critical in providing important perspectives for policymakers from those in the Illinois criminal justice system, especially Black and Latinx individuals who are disproportionately impacted, as well as addressing inmates’ mental health.
Seeing recommendations from our Young Advocates pass both chambers is incredible and we were so excited to see young adult voices represented this session through every step of this bill. Uplifting the need for representation of those with lived experience in the policymaking process is essential and this bill provides necessary action to do just that.
We are proud to see this piece of legislation pass and hopefully soon be signed into law. Young Invincibles will continue to bring young adults into the political process and have their voices heard.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org