To date, Illinois' truth-in-sentencing law has cost Illinois taxpayers approximately $900M. However, the truth-in-sentencing law has only had a "marginal and diminishing effect on decreasing community crime.[.]" Furthermore, Illinois' truth-in-sentencing law undermines the Illinois Department of Correction's (IDOC) rehabilitation efforts by serving to limit who has access to rehabilitation programs. Lastly, Illinois' prisons are facing a water crisis where incarcerated people in dozens of prisons are being poisoned by the water.

Whereas, passing HB5219 will save Illinois taxpayers approximately $1B total and grant IDOC to ability to have more people to participating in rehabilitation programs. If Illinois wants to be more fiscally responsible while also being serious about crime, Illinois needs to pass HB5219!