ICYMI: First Lady MK Pritzker’s Advocacy for Formerly Incarcerated Women Featured on CBS Mornings

CHICAGO—First Lady MK Pritzker and her senior advisor Willette Benford were featured on CBS Mornings today for their work helping women who served their time in the justice system access the necessary tools to re-enter their communities. Willette, who is formerly incarcerated herself, served as the City of Chicago’s Director of Reentry before joining the First Lady’s office as a senior advisor on women’s issues and incarceration.

Together, First Lady MK Pritzker and Benford visit prisons and transitional facilities and listen to concerns and needs of incarcerated people and the recently released. Their work with organizations such as Grace House in Chicago includes support in finding housing, work, and childcare to avoid recidivism and successfully rejoin society.

WATCH HERE

Since Illinois Governor JB Pritzker took office, First Lady MK Pritzker has focused on supporting women who were incarcerated and have served their time reenter their communities. The First Lady helped launch the pilot ID program to provide free ID cards for people leaving incarceration in 2021, removing one of the most common barriers to finding employment and housing. In 2024, Governor Pritzker signed legislation that expanded the ID program statewide thanks to the advocacy and support of the First Lady and Benford.

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