Opportunities long closed to Illinois residents with criminal records are beginning to open, as employers are seeking new sources of talent. Lawmakers saying that they have changed licensing laws, in order to make at least 100 occupations more accessible to people who have a criminal background. The state has also expanded the types of convictions that can be sealed, and therefore be hidden from most employers. Johnny Tayler, who is the President and CEO of the Society for Human Resources Management, stated, “We are evolving into a society that accepts that people make mistakes, and should be given a 2nd chance.” He continued by saying that it is encouraging employers to consider hiring people who have criminal records. Over 27,000 people left Illinois prisons last year, and over 50,000 were released from the Cook County Jail. Many people who get released from prison return to neighborhoods that have high rates of violence and little economic opportunity. Illinois residents with criminal records or arrest histories account for 42-percent of the state’s population, according to the National Employment Law Project. Giving convicted felons consideration for a job is increasingly being embraced as a necessity, according to those advocates. One of the main concerns is that employers have expressed that they could become liable, if they hire someone for a negligent hiring if they hire an ex-offender who later harms someone else. Advocates also say that the sense of purpose of a career will make them a quality employee. A talent acquisition consultant for Presence Health stated, “They are very dedicated people. They are hungry for another chance, because they know that they may not get many chances to succeed.”