MGT LEGISLATION ON BACK BURNER TEMPORARILY

[Dazzler]

Hello members:


For those with their hopes set high that MGT will be reinstated anytime soon this isn't good news.  It's time to wipe away the past rumors, pending legislation, and speculations of the restoral of MGT in 2011.  It's not going to happen.  The past pending legislation wasn't really legislation that would've restored MGT anyway....it was just legislation to toughen up the criteria for those released IF it's ever restored.  It makes little difference whether it was passed or not.  

The ultimate decision lands on Gov. Quinn, who has expressed many times that he's not about to restore MGT any time soon...if ever.  It's a political timebomb that he's unlikely to put himself within arm's reach again.  He likes his job.

So we're going to clean the slate and start again in Square 1.  Forget everything that has happened in the past...

Everyone knows and agrees that the IDOC is crowded...this isn't the first time it's been overcrowded and it hasn't exploded yet.  If the IDOC and Quinn were worried about rioting or anything else explosive they have alternatives to release inmates....regardless of MGT.

Just because nothing was resolved in 2011 it hasn't stopped a handful of activists that are still hoping to move the Governor to restore MGT.  They are preparing to draft legislation that will be introduced in the Spring session...

It's impossible to get it included in the Fall session of the Legislature.  It must wait until Spring and it's going to need backing from the public.  This informal group of activists met recently to discuss the best possible plan of action and this will begin with a public meeting to discuss overcrowding within the IDOC...probably in late November or early December.  We will notify you of the date and particulars when they are decided upon.  Encouraging attempts are being made to sign on legislators to sponsor this new bill.  

Let me remind you that even with successful legislation Quinn still has the ultimate power to approve the restoration of MGT.  

Suggestions are being formulated for the contents of  this bill, including a revision of MGT as it was previously implemented, and the criteria for inmates to receive MGT/SMGT.

There is nothing carved in stone so please don't speculate or ask a thousand questions....there's nothing more to tell you.  

In the meantime the IDOC may possibly solve some of it's own problems by finding creative ways to release inmates earlier than scheduled...if so, we know nothing about it and don't want to hear all the rumors again.  Look what all the rumors have done in the past 20 months?  There've been a thousand posts here about it...and plenty of arguments and bickering over something that everyone hopes will benefit our inmates.

If inmates are released early, for whatever reason, that's something to celebrate.

When MGT was suspended I cautioned everyone here that it would be an uphill battle and that it wasn't likely that MGT would be restored.  I still stand by that....but there's always hope as influential people are working on a solution.  When the time is right they will ask for our help here at IPT and we'll keep you informed how you might help.

Daz

[rottiemama2003]

 

[rottiemama2003]

Could someone send the memo to the co's so they will not spread the nonsenses

[Dazzler]

The IDOC may be working on some other alternatives of early release and there's rumors among the staff but to say MGT is coming back is being very optimistic.

[Tonysgirl]

Their is legislation being discussed right now on ilga.gov... you people told me that these bills were killed and yet they were brought back up today and it still has everything on them from the spring session... 3 bills! Im not trying to get anyones hopes up saying mgt is coming back or anything Im just letting everyone know that its on the website... and my guy has said that their have been many officials at vandalia trying to get some sort of early release program brought back. Just sayin!

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1562&GAID=11&SessionID=84&LegID=57449

[Dazzler]

Yes, today it was assigned to the law committee for the House, previously it was assigned to the Senate law committee....and what is your point?  This bill doesn't restore MGT....it'll sit in this next committee and maybe be heard in the Spring...or never...

[Tonysgirl]

my point is I was made to look like a dumb F#@! on here when I said that these bills had not been killed... everyone was like oh no they were killed and you dont understand how this works when if fact I do... Im not saying that mgt will be brought back at all Im just saying people told me these bills were killed and yet they were not because if they had been killed they would have started back over from the beginning!!!

[Steadfast]

In reading what is actually being voted on this session, I get the impression it is simply the bill that requires that Gov. Quinn receive a monthly report outlining who has received MGT.  Since the MGT program has been suspended, I would think that there is no need for this requirement at this time. 

[Dazzler]

You got that right.  They'll be killed in committee.

[Brit021511]

Hearing Scheduled for Dec 01, 2011


Chairperson   Constance Howard
Vice-Chairperson   Emily McAsey
Republican Spokesperson   Dennis Reboletti
Scheduled Date:   Dec 01, 2011 10:00AM
Location:   C-600, 6th Floor Michael A. Bilandic Building
Chicago, IL
Posting Date:   Oct 26, 2011 5:27PM
Subject Matter:   SUBJECT MATTER: Regarding overcrowding in prisons.
Clerk of the House   Timothy D. Mapes

[TimeStandsStill]

Would you please post the link where this information came from?  Thanks!

[Dazzler]

  This informal group of activists met recently to discuss the best possible plan of action and this will begin with a public meeting to discuss overcrowding within the IDOC...probably in late November or early December.

This is the first step that I outlined in my above post.  The public meeting has been scheduled.

[TimeStandsStill]

This is the place to come for accurate information, that's for sure!

I just wanted a link to verify the date and time in case of any changes of venues, cancellations, reschedules, etc.

I am very close to downtown and would like to attend.

[Dazzler]

If anything changes you'll read it here...

[TimeStandsStill]

OK.  Thanks.  Is anyone else planning on attending?

[Forevermah]

Here is the link for the information on the hearing:

http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/hearing.asp?CommitteeID=896&GA=97

[TimeStandsStill]

Thanks, Mah.  And for anyone who doesn't know, the Michael A. Bilandic Building is at 160 North LaSalle Street.

[jbdec]

I live near the city and would like to attend.  Will the public be welcome?  My son, in Taylorville, should be home sometime in March, 2012.  He has no criminal history and is a non-violent offender. Thanks for all the information on this site!

[TimeStandsStill]

And now there is another meeting scheduled in Springfield
http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/hearing.asp?HearingID=9325&CommitteeID=896

Hearing Scheduled for Nov 08, 2011

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Chairperson  Constance Howard
Vice-Chairperson  Emily McAsey
Republican Spokesperson  Dennis Reboletti
Scheduled Date: Nov 08, 2011 10:00AM
Location: Room C-1 Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
Posting Date: Oct 27, 2011 10:57AM
Subject Matter:  
Clerk of the House  Timothy D. Mapes


That's a good question jbdec.  Can the public attend these committee meetings?
 

[Dazzler]

These meetings are set up for the public to attend....