Group of ex-convicts trying to get support for a program in Springfield

Posted on May 22, 2024
Antonio Lightfoot spoke at the capitol Wednesday evening. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Unless they’re serving a life sentence, prisoners will get out and return to society. But ex-convicts have trouble securing gainful employment. People at a news conference at the Capitol say a bill awaiting Senate action would help. 

Antonio Lightfoot of the Workers Center for Racial Justice said a job creation program is in the bill, plus the bill “will incentivize business by subsidizing 50 to 75 percent of that person’s salary for one full year. This bill will also increase the current tax credit for hiring formerly incarcerated people from $1500 per year to $5000 per year for small businesses who have less than 100 employees.”

One ex-con at the Capitol news conference said he lost his job after his employer did a background check. And for visual effect, everyone there wore an orange jumpsuit.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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