I rebuilt my life after my prison time

Marlon Chamberlain, Tribune News Service

As a local organizer and advocate, I spend most of my days in official municipal or state-level meetings and hearings about issues affecting our communities. Often, I become frustrated because even though I am seen as a respected community leader, I am not able to officially represent and advocate for my community. My ineligibility to run for public office is one way I continue to be punished for past mistakes. I walked out of federal prison 12 years ago, determined to overcome challenges, rebuild my life and make a positive impact in my community. However, I have faced significant barriers that have prevented me from fully participating in our democratic process. Strong stigmas and limitations are imposed on individuals with felony convictions who seek to run for local public office. Despite how I have paid my dues, worked tirelessly to rehabilitate myself and made valuable contributions to my local community, my past continues to define my eligibility to serve my community in a meaningful way, and it is disheartening.

And it’s not just me. There are approximately three million individuals living in Illinois with criminal records. That is nearly one-third of the Illinois population. The blanket exclusion of individuals with felony convictions from running for local office perpetuates a cycle of marginalization, disenfranchisement and exclusion, especially among people of color, that undermines the principles of fairness and justice. My experience, along with many others’, led me to establish the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. We advocate for policies that abolish permanent punishment laws, envisioning a world in which arrest or conviction records no longer haunt individuals. We believe in supporting everyone’s journey to full freedom, shifting focus from lifelong punishment to pathways toward complete liberation.

In this legislative session, we advocated for the introduction of the Promoting Involvement & Empowerment through Civic Engagement, or PIECE, Act. The PIECE Act is vital legislation to restore the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals experiencing life barriers due to permanent punishments. The PIECE Act proposes to remove 16 statutes that limit civic engagement for individuals with felony convictions. For instance, it eliminates lifelong barriers to holding local elected office or serving on state boards and commissions. It also aims to replace broad barriers with a more focused tracking system and mandates reasonable disclosure periods for relevant convictions when seeking board or commission appointments.

A felony conviction in Illinois bars people from holding any position in municipal office, such as city mayor or village board trustee, unless they receive a pardon or their state’s governor restores their rights. However, in Illinois, you can run for state office or even run for president of the United States. The permanent punishment laws in Illinois are legal, statutory barriers that deny or restrict rights and opportunities for people with arrest or conviction records long after their sentence has been served.

By advocating for change through legislation such as the PIECE Act, challenging stereotypes and fighting for the right of all individuals, regardless of their background, we can ensure that every person can participate fully in our democracy and contribute to the betterment of our community.

It is time to challenge the outdated notions that equate a criminal record with a lack of moral character, integrity or leadership potential. Individuals with felony convictions have valuable experiences, perspectives and insights that can enrich public discourse, inform policymaking and represent the diverse voices of our communities.

By denying individuals with felony convictions the opportunity to run for public office, we are denying our communities the option to choose who they want to elect. We are depriving ourselves and communities of the opportunity to learn from our lived experiences, resilience and commitment to creating a more just and equitable society for all. It’s past time for Illinois officials, policymakers and community members to reexamine the barriers that prevent individuals with felony convictions from running for local office and to consider bills such as the PIECE Act that are informed by direct experiences. Let us embrace a more compassionate and progressive approach that values redemption, diversity and the transformative power of individuals who have overcome adversity. It is time to redefine what it means to be a leader, to recognize the potential in every individual and to ensure that our democracy is truly representative of all voices and experiences.