A new poll from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU shows Illinoisans want criminal justice reform and Director John Shaw says people also want more help for those who've been released from prison.
"What is striking is that there's also a strong view from people that those who've been incarcerated and are being released need to have a chance to get on their feet and to get moving again. So, I was really struck by just how strong the view is. More than 70% said that we need to do more."
Respondents had to agree or disagree that the state of Illinois should remove barriers that make it more difficult for people who have been incarcerated to find jobs. Seventy-one percent agree in downstate.
Geographical breakdown shows 63% agree in Chicago, 60% agree in suburban Cook and the collar counties and 42% agree in downstate.
The poll also shows race does not have much of a factor for this question with 76% of white people, 77% of Hispanics and 83% of black voters agree or strongly agree.
The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points and was conducted February 19th through the 25th with 1,001 registered voters throughout the state.
