The Chicago Treasurer's Office, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Re-Entry, has launched a new initiative to aid returning citizens in overcoming financial challenges after incarceration. The program, titled "The Second Act: Second Chances," is part of the 2025 Money Matters Institute and aims to equip individuals with essential financial tools.
Research indicates that financial issues significantly contribute to recidivism, with over 60% of returning citizens unemployed a year post-release and 75% facing considerable debt. Financial instability also increases the likelihood of homelessness among this group.
Beginning on March 13, 2025, "The Second Act: Second Chances" will provide tailored financial education through partnerships with local banks and nonprofits. Topics covered will include budgeting, credit repair, banking access, debt reduction, and employment support. Participants can receive personalized guidance from HUD-certified advisors.
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin emphasized the importance of long-term financial security for reentry success: “Reentry is about more than just finding a job—it’s about long-term financial security.” She noted that the initiative provides crucial tools for building new lives free from poverty and re-incarceration cycles.
Joseph Mapp, Director of the Office of Reentry, stated that offering this service addresses a fundamental need: “For many, crime is not about inherent malicious intent—it starts as a means of survival." He highlighted that without addressing underlying financial hardships, employment alone cannot prevent recidivism.