Help end the ban on MAP funding for incarcerated students by asking the Illinois senate to bring HB3740 to a vote! Please call or email before the new year!
Phone Banking Scripts | Email Template | Social Media Toolkit | Memo of Support
Phone Banking Scripts
Call 1: Senate President Don Harmon
Contact:
President Harmon
(217) 782-8176
Introduction
“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m calling about HB3740, which restores MAP grant eligibility for incarcerated students in Illinois. Could I speak with Senator Harmon about this issue?”
Main Message
“I’m calling to urge Senator Harmon to bring HB3740 up for a vote in the lame duck session this January. This bill restoring MAP grant eligibility for incarcerated students has no opposition and will be a game changer in creating access to college in Illinois prisons.”
This is a smart investment that will:
- Help narrow racial and economic equity gaps in postsecondary educational attainment and employment, ending cycles of incarceration
- Cost less than 0.01% of the current MAP budget
- Save taxpayers $5 for every $1 invested through reduced incarceration costs
- Reduce recidivism rates from 43% to just 3% for students who complete bachelor’s degrees
- Help Illinois catch up with neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin that already provide state-level funding
This issue has broad bipartisan support and would be a major step towards racial equity and public safety while also cost saving.”
Ask
“Can we count on you to bring the bill to a vote this January to support restoring MAP eligibility for incarcerated students?”
Closing
“Thank you for your time. Could I leave my contact information for follow-up?”
CALL 2: Senator Robert Peters
Contact:
Sen. Robert Peters
Springfield
(217) 782-5338
District
(773) 363-1996
Introduction
“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m calling about HB3740, which restores MAP grant eligibility for incarcerated students in Illinois. Could I speak with Senator Peters about this issue?”
Main Message
“I’m calling to thank you for sponsoring HB3740 and to ask you to please urge Senator Harmon to bring the bill up for a vote in the lame duck session this January. This bill restoring MAP grant eligibility for incarcerated students has no opposition and will be a game changer in creating access to college in Illinois prisons.”
This is a smart investment that will:
- Help narrow racial and economic equity gaps in postsecondary educational attainment and employment, ending cycles of incarceration
- Cost less than 0.01% of the current MAP budget
- Save taxpayers $5 for every $1 invested through reduced incarceration costs
- Reduce recidivism rates from 43% to just 3% for students who complete bachelor’s degrees
- Help Illinois catch up with neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin that already provide state-level funding
This issue has broad bipartisan support and would be a major step towards racial equity and public safety while also cost saving.
Ask
“Can we count on you to bring the bill to a vote this January to support restoring MAP eligibility for incarcerated students?”
Closing
“Thank you for your time. Could I leave my contact information for follow-up?”
CALL 3: YOUR LOCAL SENATOR
Find your IL State Senator here: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/maps/illinois-senate/
Introduction
“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m calling about HB3740, which restores MAP grant eligibility for incarcerated students in Illinois. Could I speak with [Senator] about this issue?”
Main Message
“I’m calling to ask you to support HB3740. This bill restores MAP grant eligibility for incarcerated students. It has no opposition and will be a game changer in creating access to college in Illinois prisons.”
This is a smart investment that will:
- Help narrow racial and economic equity gaps in postsecondary educational attainment and employment, ending cycles of incarceration
- Cost less than 0.01% of the current MAP budget
- Save taxpayers $5 for every $1 invested through reduced incarceration costs
- Reduce recidivism rates from 43% to just 3% for students who complete bachelor’s degrees
- Help Illinois catch up with neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin that already provide state-level funding
This issue has broad bipartisan support and would be a major step towards racial equity and public safety while also cost saving.
Ask
“Can we count on you to support restoring MAP eligibility for incarcerated students?”
Response Handling
- If supportive: “Thank you for your support! Could you share what specific actions you’ll take to help advance this?”
- If unsure: “Would you like me to send additional information about the cost savings and public safety benefits?”
- If opposed: “Thank you for your time. Could I share some information about how this program has succeeded in other states?”
Closing
“Thank you for your time. Could I leave my contact information for follow-up?”
Email Template
Contact:
President Harmon
dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov
Subject: Support HB3740 Restoring MAP Eligibility for Incarcerated Students
Dear President Harmon,
I am writing to urge you to support restoring Monetary Award Program (MAP) eligibility for incarcerated students in Illinois by bringing HB3740 to a vote in the lame duck session this January. This bill has no opposition and is a smart investment in public safety and fiscal responsibility would cost less than 0.01% of the total MAP budget. Studies show that investing in education in prison saves taxpayers $5 for every $1 invested through reduced incarceration costs.
The evidence is clear: Studies show that students who complete bachelor’s degrees see their recidivism rates drop from 43% to just 3%. College-in-prison helps narrow racial and economic equity gaps in postsecondary attainment and workforce participation, strengthens local economies and communities, and disrupts cycles of incarceration.
This issue has broad, bipartisan support:
- Congress restored federal Pell Grants with bipartisan support in legislation signed by President Trump in 2020
- More than half of all states provide access to state-level aid including neighbors such as WI, MO, IA, and MI
The cost of inaction is high. The ban on MAP has been in place for 37 years, creating a vacuum of positive outcomes in Illinois prisons. If HB3740 does not pass now, we are back to square one.
I urge you to support restoring MAP eligibility for incarcerated students by bringing HB3740 to a vote. Could you please let me know your position on this issue?
Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR PHONE/EMAIL]
*Note: Advocates should personalize these templates with their own stories and connections to the issue when possible.
Thank you for asking IL Senators to pass HB3740. Now you can spread the word and ask your friends and networks to do the same!
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT MAP RESTORATION, SEE OUR MEMO OF SUPPORT.
Social Media Toolkit
Script:
Please join me asking the Illinois Senate to pass HB3740 ending the ban on MAP funding for incarcerated students. Call Senate President Don Harmon today and ask him to bring the bill to a vote! Here’s the info and scripts: https://bpi.bard.edu/beyond/advocacy/back-on-the-map/ #BACKONTHEMAPIL