- Published: 06 August 2013
State Senator Patricia Van Pelt’s tax credit for businesses hiring ex-offenders was signed on Saturday at the People’s Church of the Harvest. This law, originally SB 1659, expands the maximum tax credit for businesses who hire qualified ex-offenders from $600 to $1,500.
“This law will offer an increased incentive for businesses to assist in the reintegration of ex-offenders into the community,” Van Pelt said. “This policy will ensure employment opportunities for all residents of Illinois and will help us rehabilitate ex-offenders.”
The credit is equal to five percent of the wages paid to the ex-offender. The $1,500 maximum is a lifetime cap. Once an employer has claimed the credit for an ex-offender the credit cannot be claimed again for the same ex-offender. The law allows a business to claim this tax credit for any ex-offender hired within three years after release from an Illinois correctional facility. Sex offenders are excluded.
“I want to thank Representative Art Turner for his work on this issue in the House. This law will ensure business owners don’t need a law degree to decide who to hire,” Van Pelt said. “In 2010, only 23 businesses claimed this tax credit. Increasing the tax credit and expanding the pool of qualified ex-offenders will help get people back to work in Chicago and throughout Illinois.”
SB 1659 was overwhelmingly approved with bipartisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly.
