Project Irene - Help for Prisoners and Their Families

The is a bill pending in the state of Illinois to ensure that incarcerated parents and spouses are provided with information about programs and services that could help their families. This type of bill is necessary in all fifty states. At the end of the following article, submitted by Theresa Orozco, there is a contact for more information on Project Irene


Project IRENE Alert

SB 2879 Incarcerated Parents
and Their Children

Background
If this bill, SB 2879, becomes law, the Department of Human Services will be required to make information for families and children of incarcerated parents available on its website and through its existing toll-free telephone numbers. The Department of Corrections will be required to provide incarcerated parents with an envelope containing information about programs for families and children of incarcerated parents so that the materials may be sent to the guardian of the children. Postage will be paid by the inmate. However, the Department of Corrections will pay if the inmate cannot afford the postage.

This bill passed the Senate April 17 with 55 yeas, 0 nos, 0 present. Four Senators were not present for the vote: Senators Peterson, Sandoval, Syverson and Viverito. The bill is currently in the House, scheduled for first reading.

Chief sponsors of this bill were Senators Raoul, Clayborne, Martinez, Lightford, Hunter. Co-sponsors were Delgado, Wilhelmi, Koehler, Collins, Hultgren.

Action
Thank your State Senator for voting yes on SB 2879 if she/he were present for the vote. See above for the four not present. If your senator was either a chief sponsor or co-sponsor, as noted above, please thank the senator for that also.

Thank you
This bill is extremely important to parents of the incarcerated,family members and guardians of the children as well as the children themselves. All will benefit. Thank you for your action on behalf of this bill, SB 2879.

Rose Mary Meyer, BVMProject IRENE2319 ClarenceBerwyn, IL 60402708 484-0270708 484-8373 faxprojectirene@aol.comJoin Project IRENE in advocating for justice regarding women and children in Illinois!