
Fernanda Herrera Spieler
Host: Resilience Force
Sponsor: Equal Justice Works Text-to-Give
Current Fellow
Kevin improves employment prospects and financial stability for low-income community members in Western Illinois through criminal records relief.
It is estimated that over 40% of the adult working-age population in Illinois has a criminal record of some kind. Many workers with these criminal records struggle to gain meaningful employment after interactions with the criminal justice system. Criminal records relief increases employment opportunities for low-income community members and helps to improve their financial stability. Additionally, in Illinois, the healthcare industry faces a shortage of workers. The healthcare waiver process enables workers with old criminal records to work in the healthcare industry. Kevin’s Fellowship aims to represent workers in expungement and seal proceedings of old criminal records. He also assists workers with old criminal records seeking employment in the healthcare industry in Illinois through the healthcare waiver process. Finally, he assists workers in reinstating their driver’s licenses and increases their access to employment.
While interning with Prairie State’s Bloomington office, Kevin was troubled to hear the stories of community members who were struggling to find work because of old criminal records. He is excited and appreciative of the opportunity to help provide this service to the community in Rock Island, Illinois.
In the first year of the Fellowship, Kevin has:
In the next year, Kevin plans to:
My Impact: A Conversation with 2020 Equal Justice Works Fellow Kevin Hempy
Kewanee residents offered second chance to expunge criminal records
Kevin Hempy Receives Equal Justice Works Fellowship
EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS FELLOW WORKS FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Prairie State Legal Services hosting free clinic to help clear old criminal records
Learn about expunging a criminal record in Illinois in free Zoom session
The dignity of work should not be denied to someone based on an old criminal record that has no bearing on their ability to do the job and do it well.
Kevin Hempy /
2020 Equal Justice Works Fellow
Host: Resilience Force
Sponsor: Equal Justice Works Text-to-Give
Current Fellow
Host: Women Empowered Against Violence
Sponsor: Arnold & Porter Foundation
Host: The Legal Aid Society
Sponsor: AIG, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Host: D.C. Employment Justice Center
Sponsor: Feder, Semo, Clark & Bard, P.C., Mehri & Skalet, PLLC, Stephen Murdoch, The Union Community Fund, AFL-CIO, UFCW International Union