Pursuit of Justice IL

02/13/2026

‼️Better Healthcare in IDOC‼️

"You got rid of one bad company just to pay another bad company to do the same exact thing," Restore Justice Associate Policy Director James Swansey told the Chicago Sun-Times.

James spoke to the Sun-Times about the failures of private prison health care providers in Illinois and the urgent need for transparency and accountability.

Read more: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2025/12/18/lawmakers-reform-prison-health-care

02/12/2026

‼️‼️ ATTENTION ‼️‼️
HB2764
and is up for hearing FEBRUARY 17, 2026 @ 4pm

HB2764 is Earned ReEntry Bill
Providing the opportunities for parole after serving 20, 25, 30 years.

Which means they are ACCEPTING WITNESS SLIPS AS OF NOW‼️

Please visit:

https://ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=2764&GAID=18&SessionID=114&LegID=160801

Click on the “Witness Slips” tab
Click on “HB2764 Judiciary Criminal Committee Hearing” under Upcoming Hearings
It will then list ALL bills that are scheduled for hearings on that date, scroll down to HB2764 and click on the box with the plus “+” sign to create a witness slip

➡️Identification
Name, Address, Title (put NA), Firm Business (put NA), Email & Phone number
➡️Representation
Enter “Self”
➡️Position
Legislation:
Click on drop down menu select “Original Bill”
Position:
Click on drop down menu select “Proponent”
➡️Testimony
Select “Record of Appearance Only”
Click on the Box to agree to ILGA terms
Finally click on “Submit Witness Slip”

We need to get as many witness slips by this commitee hearing date feel free to share with your friends and family!!

01/09/2026

‼️‼️ FACT CHECK ALERT ‼️‼️

Many social media posts have been circulating about the passing of the credit for change bill HB2367. AI generated responses which are not always reliable sources are stating the Bill has been passed. Unfortunately, it has NOT. Per ILGA, The bill has only been assigned to committee as of February of 2025. Doesn’t mean there isn’t any progress, just means that policy makers and state reps are working diligently to ensure all aspects of the bill are met before introducing the bill to vote.

Please see the link to the ILGA website below

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=2367&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=160080&SessionID=114

In the meantime you can save this link to keep up with the bill and its progress. You can also use ale a moment to reach out to all legislators sponsoring and supporting the bills and supporting organizations for all the hard work and lobbying they do to make sure these provisions are seen

‼️DONT GIVE UP‼️ KEEP FAITH IN BRINGING OUR LOVED ONES HOME ‼️‼️

Thank you all

POJ-IL

09/17/2025

🗣️🗣️

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules objected to the Illinois Department of Corrections’ emergency rule allowing facilities to electronically scan mail. The objection does not stop the department’s emergency rule, which paves the way for IDOC facilities to transition to scanning incarcera...

09/17/2025

Keep physical mail accessible to those inside our prison systems. Physical mail is a right!

The change comes after debate over the safety of physical mail. IDOC states that these emergency rules are intended to prevent the smuggling of contraband and hazardous substances into correctional facilities.

08/19/2025

Been a while POJ family but I saw this and was excited to share the news

‼️KEEP FIGHTING FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ‼️

Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 2546 into law on August 15, 2025, clarifying the parole hearing eligibility timeline in the Youthful Parole Act. This measure ensures people can have their youthful parole cases reviewed by the Prisoner Review Board when they are eligible.

The 2019 Youthful Parole Act created the first new parole opportunities in Illinois since parole was abolished in 1978, allowing people 20 and younger coming into prison with extreme sentences ahead of them to petition for a parole hearing once they have served a certain number of years.

House Bill 2546 strengthens the existing Youthful Parole Act by ensuring that eligible people can access parole hearings on the correct timeline and not have to remain incarcerated longer while they wait for their hearings.

“This legislation ensures the original intent of the Youthful Parole Act is fulfilled: to give children and young people serving extreme sentences who have transformed their lives a real chance at redemption, without unnecessary delays as they prepare for a hearing,” said Lindsey Hammond, Restore Justice Policy Director. “We’re grateful to the lawmakers who supported this vital revision.”

State Rep. Will Guzzardi - 39th District and Senator Javier Cervantes sponsored the measure.

“Children and young people have the greatest capacity for change,” said Representative Guzzardi (D-Chicago). “I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to ensure eligible persons have a chance to show who they have become on a clear timeline, and do not have to wait longer than the law intends for that opportunity.

“Young people who have done their time and worked to better themselves deserve to re-enter their communities when they are eligible so they can be better set up for a more successful future,” said Senator Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This measure clears up confusion around the timeline young people are eligible for parole so they can begin a fresh start as soon as they are able to.”

Read more: bit.ly/4lDPWJH

05/06/2025

‼️‼️ FILE YOUR WITNESS SLIP FOR PETITION TO REFORM TRUTH IN SENTENCING ‼️‼️
‼️‼️‼️TODAY BY 4 PM ‼️‼️‼️

TIS was created to prevent or minimize violent crimes when all it’s done was create a massive prison overpopulation issue that leads to understaffing issues, misuses taxpayer dollars, and poorly managed facilities and severe deprivation of resources and human rights to those in custody. Our IL laws need change and reform NOW

Click on the link
bit.ly/slipforcfc

I. IDENTIFICATION- enter your personal info
II. REPRESENTATION- Self or organization
III. POSITION- Select Subject Matter- Truth in Sentencing and select Proponent
IV. TESTIMONY- Record of Appearance Only
Then click on Create Slip

‼️‼️‼️Be sure to submit your witness slip TODAY BY 4PM‼️‼️‼️

04/07/2025

Chicago Tribune published an article about

RETROACTIVE DISCRETIONARY RESENTENCING FOR YOUNG ADULTS

04/05/2025

✅✅HB3332✅✅
🔔RETROACTIVE SENTENCING FOR YOUNG ADULTS🔔
share the word out regarding this really important bill that can impact a lot of lives who are serving extreme sentences given as young adults/juveniles, that have a chance to petition for sentence review after serving 10, 20, 30 years depending on thier conviction.

▶️Ask your state rep to support sentence reform for young adults and youth by filling out this form by clicking the link, the letter will be sent to your IL house rep and IL Senator based on the address you entered. The more emails they receive the more they will see how many lives and families this bill can impact.

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hb-3332-create-retroactive-resentencing-opportunities-for-children-and-young-adults/

▶️Get the full scoop on HB3332

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3332&GAID=18&GA=104&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=161822&SessionID=114

And you can see if your state rep is already sponsoring this bill!! It’s already gotten over 27 sponsors!!!

03/20/2025

FREE THEM ALL ‼️‼️

This is how we celebrate staff birthdays at the Illinois Prison Project!

03/19/2025

📣📣 UPCOMING HEARINGS FOR 3.20.25 📣📣

Submit your witness slips!! bills and links that direct you straight to witness slips below!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bU9027scDOEcUe3NiwEYq_-kaCdXVxdK38lMQYRBsAA/edit?usp=sharing

Feel free to share!!

Upcoming Hearings for March 20, 2025 HB44: Provides that IDOC establishes a program that funds community bases non profit organizations to serve emerging adults as an alternative to incarceration, NFP shall provide housing, workforce training, mental health counseling and restorative ju...