SR0172 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0172 LRB103 31795 LAW 60393 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Daily access to an adequate shower or other facilities necessary to maintain hygiene is a human right; and

WHEREAS, Showering removes bacteria from the skin, which helps the body protect itself from infection and hinders the spread of disease; and

WHEREAS, Personal hygiene, including regular shower use, is essential to preserve health and maintain a socially acceptable appearance; being denied the opportunity to have a regular shower or otherwise keep up one's personal hygiene may be psychologically and physically degrading and humiliating; and

WHEREAS, Most institutions and facilities of the Department of Corrections do not have air conditioning, making daily access to bathing facilities especially important during warm seasons and after physical work to maintain hygiene and prevent offensive body odor that would impact residents and staff; and

WHEREAS, The right to access a bathing facility once per day preserves human dignity; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge all institutions and facilities of the Department of Corrections to provide every committed person with access to bathing facilities once per day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge, in the case of a lockdown, access to bathing facilities should be restricted for the first two days and, if the lockdown continues for more than two days, a committed person should be provided access to bathing facilities no less than once every two days for the duration of the lockdown.