Chicago state and city officials have given the Westside Health authority a $180,000 grant to provide an employment training and counseling program for ex-convicts and place them in jobs with participating businesses. This is an important issue because employers are often reluctant to hire those with criminal records, and without another means of income, ex-convicts are more likely to return to criminal activity. Federal legislation that would set up housing for ex-convicts, where they can receive education, job training, and other services has also been introduced.
See "Chicago to help ex-cons get work", Sufiya Abdur-Rahman, Chicago Tribune, July 20, 2003