SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State Jesse White announced today an
agreement with the Abilities Center in Rockford to input vehicle
registration information for the Secretary of State’s office, a
function that was previously handled by Illinois Department of
Corrections inmates.
"We are pleased to be able to obtain the services of the
Abilities Center to help our office with data entry work," said
White. "They have a tremendous record with other agencies and
I’m certain our office will be very pleased with their work.
"This is a win-win situation for the state," added White.
"Taxpayers will receive prompt service from the agency and the
employees will receive the training and job skills they need to
become independent, productive citizens."
The Abilities Center is a nonprofit corporation that
provides education, training and employment for residents of
northern Illinois. The center hires both disabled and non-
disabled persons to staff their programs. Their clients are 60
percent female and 40 percent minority. Half of the participants
are vocational rehabilitation referrals.
Currently, the Abilities Center does data entry work for the
Department of Revenue and CompDent, the dental program for State
of Illinois employees. They also enter Police reports for the
Rockford Police Department and provide secondary machining,
inspection and assembly services for more than two dozen
manufacturers in northern Illinois.
Department of Corrections inmates began inputting the
vehicle registration information in 1985. The General Assembly
passed legislation (HB 70) last year halting that practice.
White said the new arrangement creates more positive situation
for the state.
"Through this contact we are able to give work that had been
done previously by prisoners to law abiding citizens that just
needed a chance to succeed," said White. "There is no question
this is a better situation for the state."
In addition to the contract with the Abilities Center, the
Secretary of State has a contact with Macon Resources, Inc., a
not-for-profit workshop for disabled persons in Decatur, to
produce the state’s license plates.
