Hello everyone, and specifically our Illinois families!
House Bill 5287, the Credit for Change Act, would allow most people in Illinois prisons to earn day-for-day credit toward their sentence through good behavior and participation in rehabilitation programs. The bill would also require the Department of Corrections to recalculate release dates for people currently incarcerated under the new credit system. The measure would encourage accountability, rehabilitation, and safer prison environments.
The Criminal Committee Hearing is March 18th 2026 and they are trying to get 2K proponents to the bill before then!
We are at 1856 right this minute so this is totally doable.
You have to create an account on the site ilga.gov first, then you can submit a witness slip.
Please, whether you are in Illinois or ANYWHERE, submit a witness slip as soon as possible.
More information: https://www.restorejustice.org/bill/hb-5287/
The link to create/file a witness slip: https://www.ilga.gov/house/hearings/details/3098/22565
Scroll down until HB 5287 and click on the plus sign on the right to create a witness slip and show your support of the bill.
I support HB 5287 because it creates a clearer and more consistent system for earning sentence credits in Illinois. Allowing incarcerated individuals to earn day-for-day credit encourages positive behavior, participation in educational and rehabilitative programs, and accountability.
A system that rewards effort, discipline, and personal growth benefits not only the incarcerated individual but also the safety and culture inside correctional facilities. When people have meaningful incentives to improve themselves and maintain good conduct, prisons become safer for staff and incarcerated individuals alike.
HB 5287 also recognizes that people are capable of change and growth.
A justice system should not only punish wrongdoing but also encourage rehabilitation and responsibility. HB 5287 moves Illinois toward a system that recognizes both.
