Illinois
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Contact:
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide Re-Entry Employment Services Program
33 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 793-1597
(312) 793-1871 fax
Web Site: www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/Re-Entry_Employment_Service_Program.aspx
Information about State Department of Labor resources may be of interest to:
• potential employers looking for incentives to hire individuals with criminal histories;
• service providers and individuals with criminal histories who are looking for assistance in finding employment; and
• researchers and policy makers looking at current programs to ascertain what programs are effective and serve their intended purpose.
Federal Bonding Program
The Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding insurance coverage to individuals with criminal histories and other high-risk job applicants who are qualified, but fail to get jobs because regular commercial bonding is denied due to their backgrounds.
Applications for federal bonding can be obtained through any Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) office or Illinois Employment Training Center (IETC)
Contact:
Re-entry Employment Service Program
33 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60603
312-793-1107
312-793-1871 fax
Web Site: www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/Re-Entry_Employment_Service_Program.aspx
Tax Credits
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit to reduce the federal tax liability of private for profit employers to be used as an incentive for employers to hire individuals from eight different targeted groups: TANF recipients, veterans, ex-felons, high risk youth, summer youth, Food Stamp recipients, SSI recipients, and vocational rehabilitation referrals.
Contact:
State wide Program Manager WOTC
33 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60612
312-793-1597
312-793-1871 fax
Web Site: www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/Re-Entry_Employment_Service_Program.aspx
Unemployment Insurance Office
Unemployment compensation is a social insurance program designed to provide benefits to most individuals out of work, generally through no fault of their own, for periods between jobs. In order to be eligible for benefits, jobless workers must demonstrate that they have worked, usually measured by amount of wages and/or weeks of work, and must be able and available for work.
The unemployment compensation program is based upon federal law, but administered by states under state law.
Forms and information may be obtained at any local Illinois Employment and Training Center and via the internet at the web site listed below. (See also Section VII of this site “Local Service Providers.”)
Contact:
Web Site: www.ides.state.il.us/
This is the agency individuals may contact to obtain a copy of their state rap sheet. The criminal record repository can also tell the individual who else is legally entitled to have access to his or her record.
The state of Illinois only permits complete rap sheets to be reviewed through a process called Access and Review by an official reviewing agency such as any law enforcement agency (police or sheriff department) or correctional facility. An individual must fill out an Access and Review Card and provide a full set of fingerprints. Agencies may charge a fee for access and review requests. (The fee may be waived if the person can demonstrate indigency.) The reviewing agency will contact the person within 90 days to review the record. The person cannot keep a copy of the records; however, he or she can copy the information. The reviewing agency should inform the person of the right to challenge any or all of the information contained on the rap sheet. -or- To request conviction information from the Bureau of Information, a non-fingerprint or fingerprint request can be made directly to the Illinois Bureau of Identification. Non-Fingerprint Conviction Information Request-Form ISP6-405B: Provides a search of the Illinois State Police computerized criminal history record files to produce a subject record which matches identifiers used in the search (e.g., name, sex, race, and date of birth). The fee is $12. Fingerprint Conviction Information Request-Form ISP6-404B: Provides a fingerprint-based criminal history search of the Illinois State Police computerized criminal history record files and confirms a positive identification of the subject to whom the fingerprints contained on the fingerprint request form belong. The fee is $14.
Contact:
Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification
Fee Processing Unit
260 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
815-740-5160
Web Site: www.isp.state.il.us/crimhistory/viewingchrircds.cfm/
Employers and service providers may obtain information from the state attorney general regarding occupational bars, the licensing of individuals with criminal records in certain jobs, and whether the state has laws that limit what employers may ask job applicants or protections against employment discrimination based on a criminal record.
Contact:
Office of the Attorney General
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-3000
Web Site: www.ag.state.il.us/
Office of Reentry Management / Placement Resource Unit
The Placement Resource Unit (PRU) is a statewide unit that identifies services needed for offenders to successfully transition back into the community. These services include housing, employment, life skills, substance abuse, sex offender and mental health programs.
Contact:
Illinois Department of Corrections
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph
Chicago, IL 60601
(217) 558-2200 x2711
Web Site: www.idoc.state.il.us
Bureau of Field Operations
The Bureau of Field Operations supervises all adult and juvenile parolees as well as those inmates who are in their homes on electronic monitoring. Parole agents are assisted by the Placement and Resource Unit (PRU) which provides programming for parolees. The PRU develops and monitors drug and mental health treatment programs and then monitors their effectiveness throughout the year. The PRU also develops residential placement, emergency housing, and educational and vocational programs for all field operations clients.
Contact:
Bureau of Field Operations
Illinois Department of Corrections
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277
217-522-2666
Free or low-cost legal resources, both in civil and criminal law, are helpful to individuals with criminal histories in learning about relevant state laws governing the expungement or sealing of criminal histories or addressing other legal issues resulting from having a criminal history.
State Public Defender
Contact:
Office of the State Appellate Defender
P.O. Box 5240
400 W Monroe, Suite 303
Springfield, IL 62705
217-782-7203
217-524-2472 fax
Legal Services
The website, www.illinoislegalaid.org/, provides important legal information and referrals for residents of Illinois.
Community agencies are available to assist individuals with criminal records find employment. This information will inform individuals with criminal records about government agencies and community-based organizations that assist with employment, education or vocational training. Researchers and policy makers may find this information useful in identifying agencies and service providers in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.
Association House of Chicago
Community Services integrates its basic needs, employment, career-oriented adult education and sector training programs into a Career Center where all participants have access to the resources they need to stabilize their lives, improve their skills, create individualized career plans, and find career-path employment linked to training. The Career Center serves un-and under-employed community residents, immigrants, youth, Chicago Housing Authority residents, the ex-incarcerated and dislocated workers: over 5,000 per year.
Contact:
Association House of Chicago
Community Center
1116 North Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60651
773-772-7170 Main Phone
773-384-0560 Fax
Web Site: http://www.associationhouse.org/
Email: development@associationhouse.org
Career Advancement Network, Inc.
Career Advancement Network’s “Career Passport” is a therapeutic model of job training for at-risk populations that allows instructors or counselors to combine proven business tools with work related counseling and psycho-education.
Contact:
Career Advancement Network, Inc.
20 E. Jackson, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60604
The Cara Program
The Cara Program has evolved as not only a best-in-class job training and placement provider for individuals affected by homelessness and poverty, but also a vehicle for true life transformation.
Contact:
The Cara Program
237 S. Desplaines
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 798-3300
Web Site: www.thecaraprogram.org/
Email: info@carachicago.org
Chicago Jobs Council
The Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is an organization of over 100 community-based organizations, civic groups, businesses and individuals. CJC works with its members to ensure access to employment and career advancement opportunities for people in poverty. CJC pursues its goals through advocacy, applied research, public education and capacity-building initiatives focused on influencing the development or reform of public policies and programs. The members of CJC are direct service practitioners, advocates, researchers and employers.
Contact:
Chicago Jobs Council
29 East Madison Street
Suite 1700-C
Chicago, IL 60602-4415
312-252-0460
312-252-0099 fax
Community Assistance Programs
Community Assistance Programs (CAPs) is a not-for-profit employment agency that provides employment training and job placement services. The tools to identify the skills and education you may need. Services include: interviewing techniques to help you win the job; transportation assistance and other allowable work-related expenses for those who qualify; paid work for on-the-job training; caseworker assistance; and methods to help participants get and keep the job.
Contact:
Community Assistance Programs
Administrative Offices (other sites)
11715 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60628
773-468-1993
773-468-1983 fax
Web Site: capsinc.org/
Email: AskUs@Capsinc.org
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights
The Transitional Jobs – Re-Entry program places participants in subsidized employment for 20-30 hours per week at the minimum wage over a 3 to 6 month period. The program combines skill building and meaningful work experience with supportive services to successfully transition participants with felony convictions into the workforce. The program includes job readiness training to assist in resume preparation, interviewing skills, job leads, and a core curriculum to review job expectations.
Contact:
Heartland Alliance
208 S LaSalle Street, Suite 1300
Chicago IL 60604
Phone: 312-660-1300
Web Site: www.heartlandalliance.org/
Email: tjreentry@heartlandalliance.org
Howard Area Community Center
The Education and Employment Program is dedicated to helping adults acquire the academic, employability, and life skills they need to achieve meaningful employment and economic self-sufficiency. The program offers adult education classes and operates an Employment Resource Center that assists people with their employment needs.
Contact:
Howard Area Community Center
7648 N. Paulina Street
Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: 773.262.6622
Fax: 773.262.6645
Web Site: http://howardarea.org/
Email: info@howardarea.org
Illinois Employment and Training Centers
Illinois Employment and Training Centers offer career counseling, including personalized career planning, interest and skills testing, resume development, and interviewing skills assistance. Computers, printers, fax machines and copiers are also available for use in job searches.
Contact:
Workforce Development
Illinois Department of Employment Security
850 East Madison Street
Springfield, IL 62702
888-337-7234 (IDES Telephone Information System) or
888-367-4382 (IETC Office)
Web Site: www.ides.state.il.us/
Inspiration Corporation
Inspiration Corporation’s employment project offers career services, employment preparation training, tuition subsidies, employer outreach, and job placement and retention services throughout Chicago.
Contact:
Inspiration Corporation
4554 N. Broadway
Suite 207
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: 773-878-0981
Fax: 773-878-3114
Web Site: http://www.inspirationcorp.org/
Email: info@inspirationcorp.org
North Lawndale Employment Network
The North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) Resource Center Resource provides participants with tools and information that allow them to conduct a comprehensive employment search using Internet access, fax and photo-copy machines, and voicemail boxes. NLEN also participates in a transitional jobs program.
Contact:
North Lawndale Employment Network
Resource Center
Nichols Tower, 8th Floor 906 South Homan Avenue
Chicago, Il 60624
Phone: 773-638-1825
Web Site: http://www.nlen.org/
Phalanx Family Services
Phalanx helps people with criminal records developing marketable skills through On-the-Job Work Experience, Vocational Training, and Work & Life Readiness classes. They provide exclusive job development, placement, and retention services to help secure and maintain employment. They also encourage GED, ABE, and/or Literacy Education as important keys to employability and success.
Contact:
Phalanx Family Services
837 W 119th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
773-291-1086
Fax 773-261-5100
Fax 773-779-1434
Web Site: www.phalanxgrpservices.org
Prison Action Committee/Community Re-Entry Program (CRP)
Prison Action Committee/Community Re-Entry (CRP) is dedicated to assisting returned offenders in making successful transitions back into family and community life. The CRP will create training and job opportunities for returning offenders, based upon their knowledge and skills. The program structure of the CRP consists of four components: Mental health development; GED/vocational training (specifically areas where people have obtained some training while in prison); job creation/business ventures; and low-income housing development
Contact:
Prison Action Committee/Community Re-Entry Program
661 East 79th Street
Chicago, IL 60619
773-874-7390
773-874-7392 fax
Web Site: www.members.tripod.com/TheFreedomTrain
Safer Foundation
The Safer Foundation is a not-for-profit community-based organization that works with incarcerated offenders, parolees and individuals with criminal histories to ensure their successful rehabilitation and return to the community. Safer offers peer-center teaching that focuses on education, job training, social skills, and job placement support. It also offers specialized case management and post placement support for a full year following job placement.
Contact:
Educational Services
Safer Foundation
571 West Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60661
312-922-2200
312-922-0839 fax
Web Site: www.saferfoundation.org
St. Leonard’s Ministries
St. Leonard’s Ministries developed the Michael Barlow Center to provide education, training, and job placement services for formerly incarcerated men and women.
Contact:
St. Leonard’s Ministries
Michael Barlow Center
2120 West Warren Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60612
P: 312-738-1414
F: 312-738-1417
Web Site: www.slministries.org/
STRIVE Chicago Employment Service, Inc. - South
STRIVE provides the following programs: (1) Job Readiness Training Program, a free four-week training that prepares individuals to enter the workforce and build stable work histories; (2) Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Health Care Industry, in which participants receive paid on-the-job training, certificate of completion, state certification and employee benefits (this program is not available to people with felony convictions or current drug use); (3) Fathers at Work Initiative, designed to assist non-custodial fathers with placement assistance, post-placement services, support services, and career advancement services; (4) Food Placement, a free four-week training program with Eurest Dining Services located at Roosevelt University, during which clients receive experience in Food Service, and receive a certificate of completion for each component successfully completed; (5) Hospitality Academy, a free high quality employment training to career oriented individuals who are seeking employment within the hospitality industry; (6) Women Focus Groups; and (7) a Walgreens Training Program, a partnership between STRIVE and Walgreens drug stores to provide on-site customer service/retail training.
Contact:
STRIVE South
4910 South King Drive
Chicago, IL 60615
312-624-9700
312-624-9734 fax
STRIVE Chicago Employment Service, Inc. - West
STRIVE provides the following programs: (1) Job Readiness Training Program, a free four-week training that prepares individuals to enter the workforce and build stable work histories; (2) Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Health Care Industry, in which participants receive paid on-the-job training, certificate of completion, state certification and employee benefits (this program is not available to people with felony convictions or current drug use); (3) Fathers at Work Initiative, designed to assist non-custodial fathers with placement assistance, post-placement services, support services, and career advancement services; (4) Food Placement, a free four-week training program with Eurest Dining Services located at Roosevelt University, during which clients receive experience in Food Service, and receive a certificate of completion for each component successfully completed; (5) Hospitality Academy, a free high quality employment training to career oriented individuals who are seeking employment within the hospitality industry; (6) Women Focus Groups; and (7) a Walgreens Training Program, a partnership between STRIVE and Walgreens drug stores to provide on-site customer service/retail training.
Contact:
STRIVE West
1116 North Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60651
312-645-7300
312-645-7301 fax
STRIVE Chicago Employment Service, Inc. - North
STRIVE provides the following programs: (1) Job Readiness Training Program, a free four-week training that prepares individuals to enter the workforce and build stable work histories; (2) Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Health Care Industry, in which participants receive paid on-the-job training, certificate of completion, state certification and employee benefits (this program is not available to people with felony convictions or current drug use); (3) Fathers at Work Initiative, designed to assist non-custodial fathers with placement assistance, post-placement services, support services, and career advancement services; (4) Food Placement, a free four-week training program with Eurest Dining Services located at Roosevelt University, during which clients receive experience in Food Service, and receive a certificate of completion for each component successfully completed; (5) Hospitality Academy, a free high quality employment training to career oriented individuals who are seeking employment within the hospitality industry; (6) Women Focus Groups; and (7) a Walgreens Training Program, a partnership between STRIVE and Walgreens drug stores to provide on-site customer service/retail training.
Contact:
STRIVE North
1927 West Howard Street
Chicago, IL 60626
312-465-5900
312-465-6604 fax
Westside Health Authority
Westside Health Authority’s Community Reentry and Employment Services Program helps the formerly incarcerated residents of Chicago successfully reintegrate back into their community by offering a family-like environment that provides assistance with the supportive service, training and employment. Services include job placement, readiness training, and voicemail boxes.
Contact:
Westside Health Authority
5814-16 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60651
Phone: (773) 786-0226
Fax: (773) 786-0238