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Re-Entry Resources

Transition Assistance
National H.I.R.E. NetworkExternal link opens in a new window - established by the Legal Action Center, the National Helping Individuals with criminal records Re-enter through Employment network is both a national clearinghouse for information and an advocate for policy change. The goal of the National H.I.R.E. Network is to increase the number and quality of job opportunities available to people with criminal records by changing public policies, employment practices and public opinion. the National H.I.R.E. Network also provides training and technical asistance to agencies to improve the employment prospects for people with criminal records.

Safer Foundation External link opens in a new window of Illinois, provides a range of education, employment and support services to individuals with a criminal record. They provide direct services, youth services, operate adult transition centers and provide policy/advocacy information. Additional information for Chicago area and Quad City residents External link opens in a new window help ex-offenders in these (and other) areas of Illinos prepare for the next step.

Occupational License Bans and Waivers and Other Documents Useful to Re-Entry Candidates Seeking Employment 

Overview of the Re-entry Employment Service Program (RESP)External link opens in a new window (IDES) - This site provides an overview of the Re-entry Employment Service Program (RESP) and a toolbox for IDES Employment and Training Center advisors and others who help ex-offenders with job searches.

RESP: Winning Job OpportunitiesExternal link opens in a new window (IDES) - provides short, concise guidance on some of the best jobs in Illinois for ex-offenders or others who have been similarly involved with the legal system.

Certificate of ReliefExternal link opens in a new window - A downloadable application made available at the Prisoner Review Board Site.

Certificates of Relief from DisabilitiesExternal link opens in a new window (Safer Foundation) - Information on the August 2006 update to Public Act 93-0207 concerning Certificates of Relief from Disabilities . These certificates help enable ex-offenders gain access to certain occupational licenses. The site includes information about which occupational licenses are available and which offense records bar ex-offenders from occupational licenses. Downloadable CRD posters and applications are also available at this site.

Fidelity BondsExternal link opens in a new window - Employers reluctant to hire ex-offenders may be reassured if the potential employee has received a Fidelity Bond. A Fidelity Bond provides monetary insurance against potential financial risks of hiring ex-offenders. The Federal Bonding Program provides this insurance at no cost.

Expunging and Sealing Records 

The Office of the State Appellate DefenderExternal link opens in a new window - provides an explanation of record expungement or sealing process, eligibility requirements, instruction and guides, and lists of low or no-cost attorneys throughout Illinois to assist ex-offenders with record expungement cases.

The not-for-profit Chicago Legal Clinic,External link opens in a new window with four Chicago locations, offers affordable expungement and clemency services.

Job Fairs for Re-Entry Candidates

Job Fairs & Special Events calendar External link opens in a new window is provided by IDES 

Illinois workNet® News and Events page:  By entering a ZIP code, individuals can find career-related events in a specific part of Illinois.

Useful Books and Manuals

The Ex-Offender's Job Hunting Guide: 10 Steps to a New Life in the Work World by Ron Krannick is a paperback manual available at Amazon.com.

Best Resumes and Letters for Ex-Offenders (Overcoming Barriers to Employment Success by Wendy S. Enlow. Available at Amazon.com

From Jail to a Job,External link opens in a new window - written by Eric Mayo, covers many topics such as expunging records, which employers to approach, interview do's and don’ts for ex-offenders, and how to access mentors.

Training and Symposiums of Interest to Advisors and Employers

The Chicago Job CouncilExternal link opens in a new window - offers seminars and classes of interest to those who assist job seekers with criminal backgrounds.

Re-entry Assistance

Some individuals with a criminal record are eligible to receive TANF, Medicaid and Food Stamp benefits. However, there are certain eligibility restrictions that are important to know about when working with this population. IDES provides a list of restrictions External link opens in a new window and which expenses might be covered. 

You are strongly encouraged to download the Get the Facts! Public Benefits that Can Help You With Basic Living Costs External link opens in a new window handbook and make copies of it for your clients. This handbook will help you guide and support your clients as they transition back into the labor market.

Regional Community Based Re-entry Programs and Assistance

For ex-offenders who have cases being handled by the Illinois Department of Human Services, various job search expenses and job requirement expenses might be covered. Services are delivered to vulnerable populations through federally funded contracts with not-for-profit organizations, local governments, and educational institutions. External link opens in a new window

North Lawndale Employment Network Resource CenterExternal link opens in a new window - located at 3726 West Flournoy in Chicago, IL 60627, is a neighborhood center where local residents are given assistance in job preparedness skills such as letter and resume writing, and interviewing skills. Assistance in using, and access to, job seeking tools such as internet, fax, photo-copy, and voicemail is available.

Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago External link opens in a new window - offers adult and youth programs that provide extensive job readiness training, mentoring, case management and job placement. Illinois is one of the states with the largest ex-offender populations; ex-offenders make up about 60 percent of the client population served by Goodwill.

Sweet Beginnings Jobs Program External link opens in a new window - is a jobs program offered through North Lawn Employment Network and is targeted as transitional re-entry employment for ex-offenders. Participants are trained in occupations such as landscaping, beekeeping, retail, and food preparation.

U-Turn PermittedExternal link opens in a new window - Job & Skills Training Program - offers a four week life and job skills training program for men and women ex-offenders. Job placement and retention assistance is included. Downloadable flyers about the U-Turn PermittedExternal link opens in a new window job preparedness program for ex-offenders are available from North Lawn Employment Network.

Illinois Manufacturing Institute External link opens in a new window located at 2101 S. Kedzie, Chicago - assists the recently released/ formerly incarcerated with skills and employment that leads to financial self-sufficiency, as well as provides information on agencies that assist with housing, education, medical and social services agencies.

Leslie’s Place External link opens in a new window located at 1014 N. Hamlin, Chicago - provides a home and conducts a range of support services for women in prison and just out of prison, including prison ministry and workshops on domestic violence, self-esteem, parenting, and motivation.

St. Leonard’s Ministries External link opens in a new window located at 2100 W. Warren, Chicago - provides comprehensive residential and case management services to men and women who have been released from prison without the skills, housing and other resources necessary to rebuild their lives.

Wear to Work ProgramExternal link opens in a new window (YMCA) - Through the auspices of the YMCA, the Wear to Work Program (W2W) in Macon County provides clothing to low or no income women who are re-entering the workforce
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Publications for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

Each year more than 650,000 men and women are released from federal and state prisons, and return to their communities and families. To aid community leaders and law enforcement officials, The United States Department of Labor's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has provided the following prisoner reentry materials.

Prisoner Reentry Toolkit External link opens in a new window This toolkit is a guide for faith-based or community organization interested in establishing or enhancing their prisoner reentry program. This document covers a variety of topics, such as recruiting, case management, job placement, mentoring.

Ready4Reentry, Prisoner Reentry ToolkitExternal link opens in a new window - for use by faith-based organizations assisting ex-offenders has been compiled by the Safer Foundation and is available for download.

Mentoring Ex-Prisoners External link opens in a new window A Guide for Prisoner Reentry Programs provides guidelines and recommendations intended to address the challenges and to increase the benefits of mentoring adult ex-prisoners as part of their involvement in reentry programs.

Reentry Partnerships External link opens in a new window A Guide for States & Faith-Based and Community Organizations is written for state government officials and representatives of faith-based and community organizations who want to create and sustain collaborative efforts to reduce recidivism and to help people returning to the community from prisons or jails lead productive and law-abiding lives.

Just Out External link opens in a new window This promising practices guide examines the early implementation of Ready4Work and reports on the best emerging practices in four key program areas.

Other Prisoner Re-entry Resources External link opens in a new window Review a list of documents, programs and resources that may be useful in learning more about prisoner re-entry programs and how faith-based and community organizations are active partners in the re-entry process. This information includes other agency efforts and programs, training, and technical assistance opportunities and publications.

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