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<p class="MsoNormal">We are writing to request that you file a witness slip as a PROPONENT of
<b>HB 1614</b> the bill to increase to $2,000 (from $300) the threshold for retail theft to be charged as a felony. The bill may be called for a vote
<b>tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday March 19 at 5:00pm in the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee</b>. Please scroll down to find a link where you can complete a slip in just a minute or two.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Communities United and ACLU-IL are partnering on this important measure to reform sentences for low-level property crimes in order to reduce the number of people sent to prison and/or burdened with felony records—practices that only harm
communities and create barriers which make recidivism more likely. A fact sheet is attached.
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<p class="MsoNormal">We would be most grateful if you could take a moment to file a slip, and pass this message along to anyone else in your network who might be inclined to do the same. Thank you!<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">HB1614: <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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</span></span></span><u></u><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">WHAT THE BILL DOES:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Sets the felony threshold at $2,000 for retail theft and theft
from $300 and $500 respectively.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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</span></span></span><u></u><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">WHY HB 1614 MATTERS:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> As we know, keeping the value of an item so low to become
a felony, is a vehicle to keep criminalizing poverty, mental disabilities, and substance abuse addiction and another law were the punishment just doesn't fit the offense. In addition, Illinois has not adjusted this amount to inflation like many other states
have.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">To file a witness slip:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">1. Go to this link:
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/116090?committeeHearingId=16756&LegislationId=116090&LegislationDocumentId=147208&HCommittees3%2F25%2F2019-page=1&committeeid=0&chamber=H&nodays=7&_=1552938831807&GridCurrentCommittees-page=4" target="_blank">http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/116090?committeeHearingId=16756&LegislationId=116090&LegislationDocumentId=147208&HCommittees3%2F25%2F2019-page=1&committeeid=0&chamber=H&nodays=7&_=1552938831807&GridCurrentCommittees-page=4</a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">2. Fill out the form with your information. If you do not represent a firm or organization, please write 'self'<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">3. To indicate your support for the bill, please click “PROPONENT"</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">4. For testimony - if you are just filing a slip (not testifying in person or submitting oral testimony), choose "record of appearance only."
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">5. To submit the slip, click agreement with rules and then click the button "create slip"<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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