Bill Text: IL HB3818 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish the Commission on Higher Education in Prison. Provides that the Commission shall be responsible for assisting the Board in implementing and coordinating the recommendations of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force. Provides that within the first 3 months after its first meeting, the Commission shall identify recommendations to implement, with a minimum of 3 recommendations per year. Provides that any recommendations that are identified shall expand access to quality higher education in prison in this State and propel this State to being a national exemplar in the area. Sets forth provisions concerning Commission membership, meetings, responsibilities, and dissolution.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-04-11 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava-Murray [HB3818 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB3818-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3818 Introduced , by Rep. Carol Ammons SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
110 ILCS 205/9.43 new
Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish the Commission on Higher Education in Prison. Provides that the Commission shall be responsible for assisting the Board in implementing and coordinating the recommendations of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force. Provides that within the first 3 months after its first meeting, the Commission shall identify recommendations to implement, with a minimum of 3 recommendations per year. Provides that any recommendations that are identified shall expand access to quality higher education in prison in this State and propel this State to being a national exemplar in the area. Sets forth provisions concerning Commission membership, meetings, responsibilities, and dissolution.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by
adding Section 9.43 as follows:
(110 ILCS 205/9.43 new)
Sec. 9.43. Commission on Higher Education in Prison.
(a) As used in this Section:
"Commission" means the Commission on Higher Education in
Prison established by this Section.
"Higher education in prison" means post-secondary academic
education at the undergraduate and graduate level in both
community college and university settings.
(b) The Board shall establish the Commission on Higher
Education in Prison. The Commission shall be responsible for
assisting the Board in implementing and coordinating the
recommendations of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison
Task Force. Within the first 3 months after its first meeting,
the Commission shall identify recommendations to implement,
with a minimum of 3 recommendations per year. Any
recommendations that are identified shall expand access to
quality higher education in prison in this State and propel
this State to being a national exemplar in the area.

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(c) The Commission shall be composed of all of the
following members:
(1) A representative from the Board, appointed by the
Board.
(2) A representative from the Illinois Community
College Board, appointed by the Illinois Community College
Board.
(3) A representative from the Department of
Corrections, appointed by the Director of Corrections.
(4) A representative from the Illinois Coalition for
Higher Ed in Prison, appointed by the Governor.
(5) A representative from the John Howard Association,
appointed by the Governor.
(6) A representative from the Illinois Student
Assistance Commission, appointed by Illinois Student
Assistance Commission.
(7) One member of the House of Representatives,
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, one
member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the
Senate, and one member of the Senate, appointed by the
Minority Leader of the Senate.
(8) Four former students of prison education programs,
appointed by the Governor. One of these individuals must
have served time in a female-designated facility.

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(9) Four current or former educators or administrators
of State higher education in prison programs, appointed by
the Governor.
Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
(d) Appointment of members to the Commission shall be made
within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act
of the 103rd General Assembly, with the first meeting of the
Commission to be held at a reasonable period of time
thereafter. The Commission shall hold at least 6 meetings each
year. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the call of the
chairperson.
(e) From among the Commission's members, a chairperson
shall be selected by majority vote of the members during the
first meeting of the Commission. The chairperson shall preside
for a one-year term. A chairperson may seek reelection to the
Commission. A chairperson shall be selected by majority vote
every year.
(f) The term of membership on the Commission shall be for 3
years.
(g) The responsibilities of the Commission shall include
all of the following:
(1) Identifying resources, strategies, and legislative
proposals to support the administration and implementation
of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force's
recommendations.
(2) Exploring the advisability of creating a permanent

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statewide higher education in prison commission or
advising body and making final recommendations to the
General Assembly regarding such a body.
(3) Ensuring that currently incarcerated individuals
have the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the
work of the Commission on a regular basis and provide
critical input about the direction of any statewide policy
related to higher education in prison.
(4) Presenting, at an annual subject matter hearing,
to the General Assembly a report on the Commission's
progress and the state of policy and practice in this
State. The chairperson of the Commission shall be
responsible for fulfilling this obligation. Any
accompanying materials shall be made available to the
general public on the Board's website.
(5) Issuing a final report to the Board, the Governor
and the General Assembly. The final report shall capture
the full progress of the Commission and how the Commission
has fulfilled its responsibilities. This report must be
made available to the general public on the Board's
website.
(h) The Commission members appointed by a State agency
shall report back to their respective agency on the progress
of the Commission in fulfilling its responsibilities.
(i) The Board shall provide administrative and technical
support to the Commission and be responsible for administering

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the Commission's operations and ensuring that the
responsibilities of the Commission are met.
(j) Upon the release of its final report, the Commission
shall be dissolved.