MGT New Legislation - Your Help Is Needed!!

[Bill]

 Yesterday State Rep. Arthur Turner jr., filed HB 3899 and HB 3900. These bills replace the old MGT statutes. Please read the bills and then take action. If family members and IPTer's take the lead in contacting legislators this legislation can become law. The General Assembly will begin spring session in January and sometime after that there will be a committee hearing. I know MGT has been the major topic of IPT with lots of rumors. These bills are real  Go get to work family members call legislators. Tell the legislators your story and why this legislation is needed. If don't know who state legislator is go to library or use internet to find out.  I believe this legislation will pass IF IPTer's work it hard enough. It is time for family members to be heard.

[Forevermah]

Thanks Bill, here are the links to these two new bills that State Rep. Art Turner, Jr. has sponsored:


Synopsis As Introduced
   3899
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Director of Corrections may not award good conduct credit for meritorious service to an inmate unless either: (1) the inmate has served a minimum of 60 days of the sentence in a secure county corrections facility or Illinois Department of Corrections facility or in both such facilities; or (2) the Director in his or her discretion determines that an award of good conduct credit for meritorious service which would permit release in advance of an inmate having served 60 days of the sentence in a secure county corrections facility or Illinois Department of Corrections facility or in both such facilities will further correctional goals without appreciably or predictably increasing risk to public safety, and would be consistent with best practices and the purposes of the Code. Establishes criteria for which an inmate may be awarded good conduct credit for meritorious service or for participation full-time in substance abuse programs, correctional industry assignments, or educational programs or for passing the GED test while incarcerated.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3899&GAID=11&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=62685&SessionID=84&GA=97


Synopsis As Introduced

3900
Creates the Fair Notice of Sentence Act. Provides that in any criminal case in which a court imposes a sentence of imprisonment of one year or more on a defendant after conviction of a felony offense, the court may at its own discretion or upon the request of any party in court complete a Fair Notice of Sentence containing specified information. Provides that the clerk of the court shall attach a copy of the notice to the mittimus or documents to be transmitted to the Illinois Department of Corrections and shall place a copy of the notice in the court file. Provides that when the Department receives a mittimus or court file information to which a notice is attached, the Department shall maintain a copy of the notice in its records including the sentenced inmate's master file and notify the State's Attorney, the court, and the parties identified in the notice of certain changes in the inmate's release date. Provides that the Illinois Department of Corrections shall update, correct, or modify the contact information of individuals to be notified as shown on the notice upon a request provided to the Department and approved by the State's Attorney of the county in which the inmate was sentenced. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3900&GAID=11&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=62686&SessionID=84&GA=97

[veracity]

Yay!! Ok now tell us exactly what we all can do to help the passage. Who to contact, how to word it, wording to avoid, etc. If it gets passed will it go into effect right away?

[Bill]

Yay!! Ok now tell us exactly what we all can do to help the passage. Who to contact, how to word it, wording to avoid, etc. If it gets passed will it go into effect right away?

Contact your state representative and ask for a meeting to discuss these bills. tell your story.. There is nothing fancy about lobbying just tell the story. If cant get meeting tell whoever you can talk with the story.  After contacting send me a PM about what happened.  I dont know when will go into effect have to get it passed first. As I said before lotrs of chatter on IPT about MGT now is time to take action.

[mz1210]

I will make sure I contact my repersentative today and once I get answers I will come back and give all info that I have. Do you think its a good idea that they sould come on here and read some of the stories as well because I think that this site has  been a great help for me and also it has eased alot of my worries. ( so should I mention this site or refer them if they are willing to read.) Thanks IPT

[mz1210]

I just called Arthur Turner Jr's office and I spoke to a lady(her name I did not get Sorry) but she informed me that I was not in her district but she wanted to make sure that I had the right Representative that I needed to talk to as far as the bill she also said that yes we can help with the bill by writing out any comments that we may have or even if we had bills that we wanted to become law write them out as well they are to be faxed to your Representative and then they will send them to Springfield to be reviewed she said the more comments that we have means more support of the bill, but I have one question if I understand correctly is Arthur saying that the states attorney should have a say in the early release  because if that's so how would it be possible for the inmate to be released because the states attorney is the reason behind the sentencing. I also just read how bills become laws I needed to refresh my memory but If that don't work we should all agree on some ideas an make our own bill for Early release and every one send a copy to their Representative here is the like for the how a bill become a law http://www.housedem.state.il.us/billlaw.htm.

I will make sure I contact my Representative today and once I get answers I will come back and give all info that I have. Do you think its a good idea that they should come on here and read some of the stories as well because I think that this site has  been a great help for me and also it has eased allot of my worries. ( so should I mention this site or refer them if they are willing to read.) Thanks IPT

[Bill]

I just called Arthur Turner Jr's office and I spoke to a lady(her name I did not get Sorry) but she informed me that I was not in her district but she wanted to make sure that I had the right Representative that I needed to talk to as far as the bill she also said that yes we can help with the bill by writing out any comments that we may have or even if we had bills that we wanted to become law write them out as well they are to be faxed to your Representative and then they will send them to Springfield to be reviewed she said the more comments that we have means more support of the bill, but I have one question if I understand correctly is Arthur saying that the states attorney should have a say in the early release  because if that's so how would it be possible for the inmate to be released because the states attorney is the reason behind the sentencing. I also just read how bills become laws I needed to refresh my memory but If that don't work we should all agree on some ideas an make our own bill for Early release and every one send a copy to their Representative here is the like for the how a bill become a law http://www.housedem.state.il.us/billlaw.htm.

I will make sure I contact my Representative today and once I get answers I will come back and give all info that I have. Do you think its a good idea that they should come on here and read some of the stories as well because I think that this site has  been a great help for me and also it has eased allot of my worries. ( so should I mention this site or refer them if they are willing to read.) Thanks IPT

 keep working and we need more to get involved. As far as contacting state atty there is no requirement states attys approve date to leave prison.

[Eileen33us]

Ok, I looked up my Representative (Roger L. Eddy) got the bill numbers wrote down and on my next day off I will call and tell my story.

[Bill]

Thanks Bill, here are the links to these two new bills that State Rep. Art Turner, Jr. has sponsored:


Synopsis As Introduced
   3899
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Director of Corrections may not award good conduct credit for meritorious service to an inmate unless either: (1) the inmate has served a minimum of 60 days of the sentence in a secure county corrections facility or Illinois Department of Corrections facility or in both such facilities; or (2) the Director in his or her discretion determines that an award of good conduct credit for meritorious service which would permit release in advance of an inmate having served 60 days of the sentence in a secure county corrections facility or Illinois Department of Corrections facility or in both such facilities will further correctional goals without appreciably or predictably increasing risk to public safety, and would be consistent with best practices and the purposes of the Code. Establishes criteria for which an inmate may be awarded good conduct credit for meritorious service or for participation full-time in substance abuse programs, correctional industry assignments, or educational programs or for passing the GED test while incarcerated.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3899&GAID=11&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=62685&SessionID=84&GA=97


Synopsis As Introduced

3900
Creates the Fair Notice of Sentence Act. Provides that in any criminal case in which a court imposes a sentence of imprisonment of one year or more on a defendant after conviction of a felony offense, the court may at its own discretion or upon the request of any party in court complete a Fair Notice of Sentence containing specified information. Provides that the clerk of the court shall attach a copy of the notice to the mittimus or documents to be transmitted to the Illinois Department of Corrections and shall place a copy of the notice in the court file. Provides that when the Department receives a mittimus or court file information to which a notice is attached, the Department shall maintain a copy of the notice in its records including the sentenced inmate's master file and notify the State's Attorney, the court, and the parties identified in the notice of certain changes in the inmate's release date. Provides that the Illinois Department of Corrections shall update, correct, or modify the contact information of individuals to be notified as shown on the notice upon a request provided to the Department and approved by the State's Attorney of the county in which the inmate was sentenced. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3900&GAID=11&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=62686&SessionID=84&GA=97

Thus far  I believe two IPTers have contacted state legislators office. That "aint going to get it done"!!!!  In thre have been all kinds of responses, rumors, etc about MGT on IPT far more than any other topic. Now something can be done but will take family members to take action.  If youwant to see your loved one leave prison call your legislator and tell your story and ask legislator to su[[ort HB 3899 and HB3900  If dont know who legislator is can find on the internet or in library.

[Eileen33us]

I agree Bill, I thought there would be alot more response to this thread! I will not sit and wait that extra time without knowing I did all I could to help get it back!

[Eileen33us]

Maybe you should start a new thread with all the information to catch other members attention. Just a suggestion.

[veracity]

The link below will tell you who your senators & congressman are.
Just enter your zip code and click GO
No need to fill in the other search options

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd


NOTE added by Admin.

We needed to be contacting out State Representatives, please look yours up on this link

http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx

[chantygirl]

Here's my question on this.  I'll happily call, write, visit in person, but I'm not a resident of Illinois.  Does that matter? If you think it would do any good, I'll contact every representative in the state!  Even though I know it won't help C, it would help others.

[Bill]

Here's my question on this.  I'll happily call, write, visit in person, but I'm not a resident of Illinois.  Does that matter? If you think it would do any good, I'll contact every representative in the state!  Even though I know it won't help C, it would help others.

Go ahead will help

[rubyslippers]

I am wondering if the problem might be that many members do not understand the legal jargon in these bills!!
I, for one, am new to all this legal business, I am educated, am a Dr., but have NO IDEA WHAT THESE BILLS MEAN IN PRACTICAL TERMS!!!!! Could some one with experience explain the bills in a straightforward manner, and then tell us what exactly we need to say to the representatives?? I really liked the link that was posted to find our reps.!!
Thank you!!!!!

[Bill]

I am wondering if the problem might be that many members do not understand the legal jargon in these bills!!
I, for one, am new to all this legal business, I am educated, am a Dr., but have NO IDEA WHAT THESE BILLS MEAN IN PRACTICAL TERMS!!!!! Could some one with experience explain the bills in a straightforward manner, and then tell us what exactly we need to say to the representatives?? I really liked the link that was posted to find our reps.!!
Thank you!!!!!

This legislation (HB3899) means the old MGT statute is replaced. A  prisoner can earn good time up to 90 days but must serve 60 days in jail or prison.Conditions basically the same as before. Also can earn meritorious good time by participating in certain programs.

The fair notice bill (HB3900)says  sentencing criteria for over 1 year  including meritorious good time will be explained at time of sentencing if any parties request it.

Regarding what to say i think telling the story of your family member and loved one is most powerful. The legislators need to know human stories. Then can say MGT is being improved and restored. Important thing is to contact legislator and start process. I am available to help when ever needed.

[rubyslippers]

Thank you and one more question:
In the past, good time was 180 days total, or (2) 90 day allotments--correct???
Would this still be the case here??

[Forevermah]

MGT was always only 90 days ...  there was another set of 90 called SMGT that was awarded for good conduct and overcrowding. 

It will all be at the discretion of the Director as it was before.

[Sizz]

 
            Would it still apply that sex offenders would not be eligible for this new MGT even if they completed a SO program while incarcerated such as is the case now?

[rubyslippers]

Ok--I went to my representative's site and they said calling is better than writing, but they don't list a phone number??
Does anyone have any advice on writing vs calling and how to get a phone number??
Thank you!!