Chicago City Wire

Chicago – On the 50th anniversary of the Safer Foundation and in honor of Second Chance Act Month, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot proclaimed on April 29, 2023  Congressman Danny K. Davis Second Chance Day in Chicago, recognizing his contributions to helping 100,000 men and women through the Second Chance Act of 2007, of which he was the chief sponsor. In addition, the Safer Foundation will announce an honor at an event tonight, Congressman Danny K. Davis, by renaming a building with a mural of his likeness. Davis was also honored by Senator Mattie Hunter through a State of Illinois resolution and Commissioner Dennis Deer and Toni Preckwinkle by a Cook County resolution.

Davis said, “The Second Chance Act is landmark because it is comprehensive legislation that will have an everlasting impact across the country, especially for our big cities like Chicago. It is the first time in U. S. history where we as a nation are moving away from strict ‘lock-em-up and throw away the key’ policies.  I would also like to thank Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, George Williams, and my Chief of Staff, Tumia Romero, who worked on developing and passing the Second Chance Act of 2007. “

Prisoner reentry has exploded over the past decade producing many programs and policy initiatives nationwide.   U. S. Representative Danny K. Davis and former U. S. Senator Joseph Biden, with bipartisan support, introduced the Second Chance Act of 2007 (SCA). Since 2009, more than 1 billion in grants have been made to grantees across 49 states.

Davis strongly supports the Safer Foundation and will attend their 50th Anniversary event tonight. Congressman Danny K. Davis said, “I am honored by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Safer Foundation’s recognition. With the support of hundreds of organizations from around the country and my colleagues, many of the formerly incarcerated can see daylight when they only were able to see despair.”

          Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said through the proclamation:

“WHEREAS, throughout his tenure Congressman Danny K. Davis has advocated for civil rights, affordable healthcare, environmental protection, reducing inequality, consumer and labor protection, criminal justice reform, reentry reform, and much more; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, Congressman Danny K. Davis authored and diligently fought for the passage of the Second Chance Act which has helped over 100,000 Returning Residents successfully reenter their communities and has provided them with vital training, employment, mentoring, and treatment services.”

The Second Chance Act passed in the U. S. House of Representatives by 347 to 62, in the U. S. Senate by unanimous consent, and the President signed the legislation into law on April 9, 2008. Since then the Second Chance Act was reauthorized in 2019.

The Second Chance Act of 2007 will provide program services in the following areas:

□       State and Local Reentry Demonstration Projects 

□        State and Local Reentry Courts 

□      Prosecution Drug Treatment Alternatives to Prison 

□       Family-Based Substance Abuse Treatment 

□     Evaluate Educational Methods at Prisons, Jail, and Juvenile Facilities 

□      Technology Careers Training Demonstration Grants 

□     Offender Reentry Substance Abuse and Criminal Justice Collaboration 

□    Responsible Reintegration of Offenders Grants for job placement and training

□       Federal Prisoner Reentry Initiative 

□        Offender Reentry Research

For additional information regarding Safer Foundation’s 50th anniversary event, visit their website at www.saferfoundation.org

Original source can be found here.