HB 4224

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall establish a remote work policy for committed persons in the Department's custody to allow those persons to obtain gainful employment by private, approved employers. Establishes eligibility requirements for the program. Establishes conditions for employers who hire committed persons for remote work. Provides that a committed person may be terminated from the committed person's remote work employment at any time for any reason at the complete discretion of the Director of Corrections or the facility chief administrative officer, or their designees. Provides that all monetary compensation shall be directly deposited by the employer into the committed person's Illinois Department of Corrections account. Provides that the employer must pay the committed person employed remotely the same wage as the committed person's non-committed counterparts that work in the same role, have the same tenure, or as otherwise determined by Department policy. Provides that a committed person may appeal a decision to deny or withdraw approval to search for remote work, apply for remote work, or accept an offer for a remote work position or a decision to terminate them from a remote work position by submitting a written letter to the Deputy Director via the U.S. Postal Service or certified mail. Effective January 1, 2027.