A new law provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) include two individuals who have been previously incarcerated.
The law was proposed by the Young Invincibles’ Young Advocates Program, which trains young adults on advocacy and leadership. Participants then present a policy proposal based on what they’ve learned.
This year, the group proposed a policy ensuring that residents with lived experience in the Illinois criminal justice system, who are disproportionately Black and Latinx men, will be included in policymaking.
State Rep. Will Guzzardi, a bill sponsor, stated that “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.”