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Re-Entry Employment Service Program
The Re-Entry Employment Service Program (RESP) serves Illinoisans who are currently, or have in the past been, subject to any stage of the criminal justice process and who require assistance in overcoming barriers to employment resulting from a record of arrest or conviction.
RESP Flyer | English Brochure | Spanish Brochure
Employment and Job Readiness Assistance
- Winning Job Opportunities This publication includes a list of occupations for the formerly incarcerated, including information on annual openings, wages, and skills.
- Search for jobs online and set up a free account and learn how to use this system at IllinoisJobLink.com.
- To receive job readiness assistance and get prepared for your job search, use the IDES Office Locator to find an office nearest you.
RESP Job Preparation Tools
The Re-Entry Employment Service Program has developed several tools, including a set of job preparation handouts, an assessment form and two PowerPoint presentations for job seekers and employers.
Employer Incentives
Federal Fidelity Bonding
Fidelity Bonding protects employers against employee dishonesty, theft or embezzlement. A fidelity bond is no-cost insurance coverage that enables employers to hire job applicants considered to be "at risk" due to their past life experiences.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
WOTC is a federal program that provides contribution savings to employers who hire people from certain target groups, including public assistance recipients, veterans, youth and ex-felons.
Illinois Tax Credit for Ex-Felons
2014 Illinois Department of Revenue 1299-DTax Instructions and calculation form determining eligibility for tax credits.
Re-Entry Resources
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) CGLA provides both criminal and civil legal services, integrated with social work support, to individuals facing barriers stemming from an encounter with the criminal justice system.
Cyber Drive Illinois Learn how to get driving privileges reinstated.
Executive Clemency and Expungement Resources and information regarding the guidelines and application for executive clemency and expungement.
Health Care Workers Waiver The Health Care Workers Waivers are administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and don't have any statutes that apply.
Illinois Legal Aid Learn how to search for legal information and find legal aid offices that may be able to help with your legal problem.
Illinois Reentry Resources An interactive directory of various resources important to the reentry community
National Reentry Resource Center The National Reentry Resource Center provides education, training, and technical assistance to states, tribes, territories, local governments, service providers, non-profit organizations, and corrections institutions working on prisoner reentry.
Reentry Myth Busters Fact sheets comprised by the Federal Interagency Reentry Council, designed to clarify existing federal policies that affect formerly incarcerated individuals and their families.