Bill
HB 3996
Allocates a $2 million General Revenue grant to DHS to fund the Illinois Prison Project's legal support, representation, and education for IDOC inmates.
Status and timeline
- Introduced: Feb 26, 2025 (filed by Rep. Lisa Davis); printed as introduced version LRB10412357RLC22560b.
- Subsequent actions: Referred to committee; reported favorably as substituted (committee action 05/08/2025); placed on General State Calendar (05/15/2025). Multiple co‑sponsors added through 05/29/2025 (including Rep. Edgar González, Jr.).
- Effective date: July 1, 2025 (if enacted).
Purpose and intent
- Provide state funding to support legal services and education for people incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). The bill directs an appropriation to enable the Illinois Prison Project (IPP) to deliver legal support, representation, and educational programming to incarcerated individuals.
Key provisions
- Appropriation: $2,000,000 (from the General Revenue Fund) is appropriated to the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS).
- Use of funds: DHS is to award a grant to the Illinois Prison Project for “legal support, representation, and education” for persons incarcerated in IDOC.
- Flexibility language: “or so much of that amount as may be necessary” — standard clause allowing use up to the stated amount.
- No additional programmatic, reporting, eligibility, or duration details are specified in the bill text; implementation would be via DHS grant administration.
Who is affected
- Primary recipient: Illinois Prison Project (grant recipient named in the bill).
- Beneficiaries: People incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections (access to legal advice, representation, and education programs funded by this grant).
- Administrating agency: Illinois Department of Human Services (responsible for grant award/administration).
- State budget: one‑time or single‑fiscal‑period reduction in the General Revenue Fund of up to $2 million.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Increases capacity for legal assistance and client education among incarcerated populations (e.g., case support, appeals, know‑your‑rights programming), subject to IPP’s capacity and DHS grant terms.
- The bill does not specify reporting, performance metrics, or grant term details; those would be determined through DHS grant processes or additional legislation.
- Fiscal impact is limited to the appropriated $2,000,000 unless further appropriations are enacted.
Sponsors
- Primary sponsor: Rep. Lisa Davis. Numerous co‑sponsors, including Chief Co‑Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford and others added through May 2025.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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