June 9, 2023

The Honorable J.B. Pritzker
Governor of Illinois
Office of the Governor
401 S. Spring St.
Springfield, IL 62704

Dear Governor Pritzker,

CEO Action for Racial Equity (CEOARE) is pleased that Senate Bill 1463 (SB1463), which would eliminate juvenile fees and fines, passed the Illinois General Assembly during the 2023 regular session and is before you for review. SB1463 would alleviate the burden of debt, stress, and hardships placed on children and their families from existing juvenile fee and fine policies in Illinois. We support this bill and encourage you to sign it into law.

Unpaid fees and fines can follow juveniles into adulthood, interfering with a young person’s ability to reintegrate into their communities and potentially limiting their future employment opportunities. Illinois businesses seek to foster diversity to drive innovation and positive results. Thus, businesses like other members of society need justice system policies, such as SB1463, to give our children a better chance of success in life, including the chance to participate in an inclusive and sustainable workforce.

CEOARE unites the talent and resources of more than 100 signatory organizations, many of whom have a significant presence in Illinois, to advance racial equity through public policy. One of our key priorities is Decriminalizing Poverty, which includes the elimination of juvenile fees and fines.

CEOARE is committed to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to enact policies that bring equity, transparency, and accountability to our justice system. We encourage you to sign SB1463 into law and eliminate juvenile fees and fines in Illinois.

Sincerely,

CEO Action for Racial Equity