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Illinois Lawmakers Graded: TASC Releases Legislative Health & Justice Scorecard

(Chicago) – TASC has issued its inaugural Health & Justice Legislative Scorecard, a tally of how Illinois state lawmakers voted on selected bills related to health and justice last year, especially for individuals and families impacted by contact with the criminal legal system. 

A review of General Assembly votes revealed that 37 senators and 62 representatives voted in favor of these health and justice initiatives at least 80 percent of the time, earning a place on TASC’s 2019 Illinois Legislative Honor Roll for Advancing Health and Justice.

Bills considered in the scorecard advanced policies that allow people and communities to pursue health and well-being without undue barriers. Examples include establishing protocols by which individuals in prison can job search, and ensuring that they are screened for Medicaid eligibility in order to reduce barriers to treatment and medical care after release.

TASC’s scorecard also features TASC’s 2019 Legislative Champion Award recipients—Sen. Mattie Hunter, Sen. Melinda Bush, Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr., and Rep. Tom Demmer—who were recognized at TASC’s December 2019 leadership awards luncheon for their outstanding leadership and support in advancing TASC’s mission to build a healthier, safer, and more just society. 

“Health and justice have been the foundation of TASC for more than 40 years,” said Pam Rodriguez, TASC president and CEO. “We want to acknowledge and thank the senators and representatives on our honor roll for advancing legislation that supports opportunities for substance use treatment, recovery, restoration, and community engagement for people whose lives and families are impacted by contact with the system.”

TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) is a statewide, non-profit organization that serves and advocates for people involved in criminal legal systems and youth and family service systems, and who have substance use and mental health disorders. TASC’s public policy work is informed by on-the-ground experience working with thousands of people across Illinois, as well as by research and data on effective and racially and economically equitable practices in justice and healthcare.

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