Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Crime Reduction Task Force met Jan. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the task force:
Via WebEx Video Conference/Teleconference
| Task Force Member Attendance | Present | Telephone | Absent |
| Mayor Rita Ali | X | ||
| Sen. Neil Anderson | X | ||
| Willette Benford, City of Chicago-Live Free Illinois | X* | ||
| Lance Bennett | X | ||
| Avalon Betts-Gaston | X | ||
| Luis Centeno | X | ||
| Representative Eva Dina Delgado | X | ||
| Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, Chair | X | ||
| Jennifer Elana Jenks | X | ||
| Jim Kaitschuk, Illinois Sheriffs Association | X | ||
| Director Brendan Kelly, Illinois State Police | X | ||
| Rep. David Friess | X | ||
| Ashley Hokenson, Office of the Attorney General | X | ||
| Sen. Steve McClure | X | ||
| Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas | X | ||
| Senator Robert Peters, Chair | X | ||
| Benjamin Ruddell | X | ||
| Director Kathy Saltmarsh, The Executive Director of the Sentencing Policy Advisory Council | X | ||
| Rep. Patrick Windhorst | X |
Also present:
Delrice Adams, Kristina Dion, Dawn English, Alysson Gatens, Javon Gregoire, David Harris, Kyle Hucke, Jennifer Jenks, Timothy Lavery, Millicent McCoy, Mary Morrissey, Jen Paswater, John Specker, Zack Schrantz, Dr. Jarmese Sherrod, LeVon Stone, Sr, Lauren Weisner
I. Call to Order, Opening Remarks, Roll Call
Call to Order
Senator Robert Peters called the meeting to order at 1:03pm.
Opening Remarks
Chair Senator Robert Peters and Chair Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth welcomed the members of the task force and thanked them for their service to the work of the task force and for caring about public safety and crime reduction.
Roll Call
Dawn English took roll call. A quorum was established.
*Willette Benford was not present at roll call but was present by 1:10pm. II. Task Force Timeline and Itinerary
Leader Gordon-Booth noted the final document is due on or before March 1, 2023, to the General Assembly. The Chairs are hoping to receive contributions from all task force members to consider in the final report. This meeting and next meeting will be about how to support communities in addressing crime and gun violence.
Leader Gordon-Booth also stated that a form for recommendations was sent to task force members, and this form may be shared with those outside the task force. All submissions will be considered by task force.
III. Presentations
1. Dr. Jarmese Sherrod, SIMP (Sherrod’s Independent Mentoring)
SIMP programs are based in Decatur, IL, and include early-violence prevention, county-wide violence prevention, youth development, community service, and re-entry.
Dr. Sherrod highlighted putting funding in the hands of small businesses, like SIMP, allowing those businesses to focus on crime reduction.
SIMP has collaborated with law enforcement and other entities through summits, community events and empowerment meetings. SIMP connected principals with law enforcement and also has worked with community colleges, schools (within and outside community), community organizations, youth violence prevention groups, and parents and families.
Dr. Sherrod wants to train others in SIMP’s approach and advocated for including youth in decision-making.
2. Zack Schrantz, Saint Leonard’s Ministries
Saint Leonard’s provides holistic reentry housing and supports to men and women impacted by the carceral system on the West Side of Chicago. Holistic includes both transitional and long term housing, mental health services, substance abuse recovery services, case management, medical care, education, and workforce development.
Mr. Schrantz credited the program’s success to its holistic nature and involvement of individuals with lived experience and program alumni at all levels of the organization. Mr. Schrantz defined success as individual dignity and respect, rebuilding relationships, and low recidivism. Saint Leonard’s is well below state average.
David Harris also spoke on behalf of Saint Leonard’s. He is both an alum and employee of the program. He commented that Saint Leonard’s gave him opportunity to not return to his neighborhood. Mr. Harris shared that when someone has opportunity to participate, to work with others, and access to training and educational opportunities, those individuals are able to be productive in society. He stated that Saint Leonard’s is a wonderful program and more like it are needed.
Mr. Schrantz shared some recommendations:
• Resources for a full continuum of statewide housing options
• Meet needs of those with more significant challenges (serious mental illness, physical disabilities, health considerations)
• Re-entry housing for those who don’t want holistic supports (provide a wider range of options)
• Men and Women needing different supports
• Long-term affordable housing
• Support work of the Illinois Re-entry Council
Mr. Harris added that training and educational programs were beneficial. He also stated he is familiar with challenges that law enforcement faces and understands that changes need to be made in the West side neighborhood. Resources and opportunity can change the way someone looks at things and the way they think, and that can lead to making a difference and someone wanting to be able to give back.
3. LeVon Stone, Sr., Acclivus
Acclivus is working in four hospitals with victims and families when shootings and related incidents occur. The organization also works in seven communities, using the public health model, working with high-risk individuals. Acclivus helps grassroots organizations through the ICJIA grant process and helps them build capacity. Some other Acclivus-involved programs include working with several different high schools; a public health training program; NBA Cares; an IDJJ music program; and a partnership with Northeastern University to pay tuition for high-risk individuals.
Recommendations for task force:
• Look at this from a human, public health lens, not just a criminal justice lens. This allows for a multidisciplinary approach
• Clemency policies that provide a clear path to redemption
IV. Discussion/Questions Following Presentations
Leader Gordon-Booth thanks the speakers and commends their important work and asks if the committee has questions for the presenters.
ICJIA Executive Director Adams moderated questions, first addressing Avalon Betts-Gaston. Ms. Betts-Gaston posed the following to the presenters:
1- Is data gathered for median household income for clients versus median income where clients reside? Ms. Betts-Gaston clarified that she is looking for a clear understanding on how to target solutions that deal with root causes.
2- Have you been able to gather data of workplaces/industries of clients/household and establish if those workplaces/industries known for wage theft?
3- Has your work produced evidence that clients labelled as violent should be excluded from deflection or transformative or restorative justice programs?
Responses to Question 1: Have you collected median income data on clients? Mr. Stone, Sr responded that Acclivus does not collect that data.
Mr. Schrantz said it is collected, as requirement for different funding streams.
Responses to Question 2: Do you gather data on clients who may be subject to wage theft? Ms. Betts-Gaston provided clarification on examples of wage theft: unpaid breaks, practices where employees clock in before shift but are not paid for that time, and situations where an employer asks assistance of an employee when that employee is taking time off. Ms. Betts Gaston added that this can happen often in hospitality, restaurants, and manufacturing positions.
Mr. Stone, Sr. said that Acclivus doesn’t collect data, but is aware of the issue.
Mr. Schrantz responded that Saint Leonard’s doesn’t collect that data but he would look into incorporating that recommendation.
Responses to Question 3: Is there any research on the label of violence, should clients be excluded from different programming?
Mr. Stone, Sr. shared that it was a topic with his experience in Chicago Public Schools and integrating students from alternative schools.
Dr. Sherrod stated that she encountered this when running youth programs in Chicago. She advised that there needs to be (especially with youth) work done separately before integration and recommended conducting a pilot program. If individuals are not ready, too much time is spent on behavioral issues.
Ms. Betts-Gaston confirmed that she was not hearing any blanket exclusion of individuals labelled as violent, and that support and healing is key.
Mr. Schrantz picked up on an earlier topic of clemency and commented that the murder registry requirement should be reviewed.
Director Saltmarsh was next to comment. She stated that she was happy to hear from grantees. She also advocated for task force focus on 1- the Public Health approach and 2- Scalability
Director Saltmarsh advised that if the task force wants data on wage theft, it should check in with IDES and the Department of Labor. If the task force wants data on housing programs, there are affordable housing options across the state. The task force should look at replicating the programs that work. Director Saltmarsh said the task force should look at eliminating the bar for offenders labelled as violent, and she also asked what ICJIA can do to help organizations build capacity and access to grants.
Response to Director Saltmarsh’s comments:
Dr. Sherrod commented that she works with other organizations and feels responsible for helping smaller businesses in the roots of the community. She stressed the importance of getting information to communities and commented that many organizations are doing the work but they don’t know how to follow procedures required to apply for grants. If there was a process where community leaders could assist in that capacity, would be helpful,
Mr. Stone, Sr. stated that Acclivus has several subgrants. He expressed concerns that the number of agencies competing for violence prevention funding could diminish successes of smaller organizations.
Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas thanked the presenters. She addressed Director Saltmarsh’s comment on scalability and wants to make sure scalability doesn’t result in cookie-cutter. While some measures can scale, like community providers talking/sharing, many need a more tailored approach because each community is unique. Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas also raised that Metropolitan Family Services has a has a common set of language/terms and she asked the paresenters their thoughts on having common vocabulary/language to draw on to build capacity of state.
Response to Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas comments:
Mr. Stone, Sr. commented that it could harm participants and community if individuals are associated with certain language, and he emphasized that trust is needed.
Executive Director Adams countered that language could help bring newer organizations into fold and create a standard of practice.
Mr. Schrantz added that it is important to increase training for and the legitimacy of peer re-entry specialists. Alumni and people with lived experience can make the work more impactful and the field will have more credibility, which hopefully leads to higher wages.
Public Comment:
Leader Gordon-Booth invited public comment from anyone who many have questions for the speakers. There were no additional comments or questions for the presenters.
Mr. Luis Centeno asked what to do with task member recommendations and testimony.
Executive Director Adams said these forms could be sent to Scott Risolute or Dawn English. An email address was provided in the chat. It was reiterated if task force members know of organizations that have ideas, they should provide that information to ICJIA contacts.
V. Close Out:
Leader Gordon-Booth asked again for recommendations. ICJIA will receive and organize written submissions. The task force is on a tight timeline, and submissions should be received by Monday, February 13th. The hope is to report back on those materials at next meeting. Leader Gordon-Booth thanked the task force members and ICJIA.
VI. Approval of Minutes from 10/4/22
Senator Robert Peters asks for a motion to approve the minutes from the October 4, 2022 meeting. Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas made the motion. Director Saltmarsh seconded. Dawn English took a roll call vote.
| Task Force Vote on Approving 10/4/22 Minutes | Yes | No | Abstain |
| Mayor Rita Ali | |||
| Sen. Neil Anderson | |||
| Willette Benford, City of Chicago-Live Free Illinois | |||
| Lance Bennett | |||
| Avalon Betts-Gaston | X | ||
| Luis Centeno | X | ||
| Representative Eva Dina Delgado | X | ||
| Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, Chair | X | ||
| Jennifer Elana Jenks | X | ||
| James Kaitschuk, Illinois Sheriffs Association | X | ||
| Director Brendan Kelly, Illinois State Police | |||
| Rep. David Friess | X | ||
| Ashley Hokenson, Office of the Attorney General | X | ||
| Sen. Steve McClure | |||
| Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas | X | ||
| Senator Robert Peters, Chair | X | ||
| Benjamin Ruddell | X | ||
| Director Kathy Saltmarsh, The Executive Director of the Sentencing Policy Advisory Council | X | ||
| Rep. Patrick Windhorst |
The motion passes and minutes are approved.
VII. Public Comment
No Public Comment
VIII. Adjournment
1. Moved by Director Saltmarsh
2. Seconded by Representative Eva Dina Delgado 3. Meeting adjourned
https://agency.icjia-api.cloud/uploads/CRTF_Meeting_Minutes_01_19_2023_9741d36c19.pdf
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