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Re-Entry Services

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Looking for a new job?
Learn what you can do to prepare for job transition on Illinois workNet. Explore different types of jobs and the skills you will need for each one in the Job Transition External link opens in a new windowpage. 

The following information is provided to assist individuals who are formerly incarcerated to find assistance:

Find a resource room External link opens in a new window
IDES and Illinois workNet sites provide Ex-offender services; but be aware that not all resource rooms provide these services. Click on the link above to find sites where trained staff members may be able to assist you in finding resources for your job search, job preparation, and work support such as financial aid, child care and much more. This is a free service for Illinois residents.

Training and Employment for the Re-Entry Population
Several social service organizations in Illinois offer training and employment opportunities to those job seekers with criminal backgrounds. See the Training and Employment List External link opens in a new window which is provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS).

Re-Entry Resources - click on a title below

Job Fairs, Workshops and Special Events for Re-Entry Candidates

Explore events in your area on the Illinois workNet News and Events page. Enter your ZIP code to find career-related events in your part of Illinois.

Occupational License Bans, Waivers and Useful Resources

RESP: Re-Entry Employment Program External link opens in a new window (IDES) At this site you will find resources for individuals who are ex-offenders. Resources include a set of job preparation handouts, an assessment form and two powerpoint presentations for job seekers.

Certificate of Relief from Disabilities: an application made available at the Prisoner Review Board site
Application for Certificate of Relief (PDF) External link opens in a new window
Application for Certificate of Relief (MS Word) Certificates of Relief from Disabilities External 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.

List of Acceptable Identification Documents: used to verify personal data and/or residency.
Acceptable Identification Documents (PDF)
Acceptable Identification Documents External link opens in a new window (HTML)
Acceptable Indentification Documents (MS Word)

Hearing Officer Facility Locations
Contact the Driver Services facilities External link opens in a new window of your choice to confirm the availability of a hearing officer. Call ahead, as several facilites are open dependent upon staffing.
Hearing Officer Facility Locations (PDF)
Hearing Officer Facility Locations (MS Word)

Expunging and Sealing Records
The Office of the State Appellate Defender External 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.

Resources and Assistance

National H.I.R.E. Network External link opens in a new windowprovides resources to Illinois residents about legal assistance options and local service providers. Also included are links to the Department of Labor, Criminal Records Repository, State Attorney General, State Department of Corrections, and State Department of Parole/Probation.

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. 

Winning Job Opportunities - A Guide for the Formerly Incarcerated in Illinois External link opens in a new window 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.

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.

Re-Entry Illinois External link opens in a new window A resource directory fo re-entry friendly services and housing. Information to understand the system, parole and probation is included, as well as getting identification, public benefits, housing, support services and a job.

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.

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.

Incarcerated Veterans' Transition Program External link opens in a new window - information about programs for incarcerated veterans, as well as an Incarcerated Veterans' Guide. Click here External link opens in a new window to read an Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs press release about the IVTP program.

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Illinois workNet Centers are an equal opportunity employer/program. At Illinois workNet Centers, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this website may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY (800) 785-6055 or 711.