Update: April 8, 2007Happy EasterMr. Blagojevich and his family worshiped with us on Easter Sunday at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. I want to give Mr. Blagojevich a compliment for his focus and efforts on Healthcare and Education. Mr. Bush has spent 418 Billion dollars in Iraq. This money is coming from tax paying citizens of the United States. Why isn't this money going to Healthcare and Education for people who live in the United States?
Update March 21, 2007I received this letter today.
State of Illinois
Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor
PRISONER REVIEW BOARD
Jorge Montes, Chairman
March 19, 2007
Fred L. Nance Jr.
Re: E.C. Docket #26670 October 2006
Dear Mr. Nance:
Please be advised that the above-named executive clemency petition is currently pending. By law, Governor Blagojevich does not have a time limit in making his decision. You will be notified once the Governor makes his decision.
Sincerely,
Jorge Montes
Chairman
JM:CK
Update: March 4, 2007March 4, 2007Mr. Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor of Illinois
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, Illinois 62706
State of Illinois
Prisoner Review Board
Mr. Jorge Montes, Chairman
319 E. Madison Street, Suite A
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Re: Fred L Nance Jr. – Docket #26670
CERTIFIED MAIL
Governor Blagojevich:
You have granted clemency to Ms. Chandra Gill. Ms. Gill and I interviewed with the clemency board at the same time on October 16, 2006. The Honorable Jesse Jackson Sr., the Honorable Illinois State Representative Constance Howard and the Honorable U.S. Representative for Illinois Danny K. Davis gave testimony and character reference for Ms. Gill. The Honorable Bishop Dr. Arthur M. Brazier of the Apostolic Church of God (ACOG) in Chicago gave reference for me through written correspondence addressed and mailed to you and attached to my clemency petition.
On October 21, 2006 I wrote Mr. Montes expressing my disgust with the clemency hearing of this date, to which I have not received a response from him as of this date.
If Ms. Gill had not had Jesse Jackson, Constance Howard and Danny Davis, would you have given her clemency? As I stated above, I have Bishop Brazier. You have been to our church numerous times seeking support for your position. We gave it to you. Mr. Jackson, Ms. Howard and Mr. Davis gave you their support. This is no secret to how social policy works. There are many others, at my church, like the dignitaries mentioned above who gave you support for your candidacy and policies.
Sir, open your eyes, seek truth, honesty and humility searching for fairness and discernment. Give a decision of righteousness and forgiveness. Where is my decision? Where is my forgiveness? Where is the decision for everyone who attended the clemency hearing of October 16, 2006? Was Ms. Gill’s decision based on gender? Was Ms. Gill’s decision based on her dignitaries? Ms. Gill was not and is not the only one whose case may be difficult to decide. All decisions of this magnitude are difficult.
Sir, open the blind eyes of our society. Sir, when visiting our church, was it for the God’s Word or for our support of your candidacy? If it was for the Word, look at II Corinthians, Chapter 4, verses 1 through 4. Sir, open the blind eyes. If it was for our support, as other politicians do, you got it.
Where are the reciprocal results of our vote? If we are going to play “politics” with decisions for clemency, let’s play politics. Which way will you go on this issue? Sir, do the right thing. I should get clemency based solely upon my self-rehabilitation. The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) did not rehabilitate me.
Sir, Ms. Gill and I are working and providing support for our communities and our disciplines. I am presently working at Sheridan Correctional Center for your “Sheridan Project.” I was once incarcerated in IDOC, and now I work within IDOC helping and assisting those who have criminal thinking and behavior as I once had. I know how rehabilitation takes place. It does not take place from incarceration or the policies of IDOC. It takes place when one changes the way they think and behave. In addition, my church will be profiling me soon in their Cross & Crown magazine. I have accomplished many things since my rehabilitation.
Give me a chance to have a better life, as you have given to Ms. Gill. Give me a decision.
Thank you.
Fred L Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
cc:
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/http://click.townhall.com/Update: January 30, 2007I have not received a response to my appeal for clemency from Governor Blagojevich's office. I have re-enrolled and accepted in my PhD program at Walden University. I expect to finish and have my PhD no later than September 2007.
Update: November 16, 2006The Illinois Prison Review Board asked about remorse. I told them about remorse. When you talk about remorse, you talk about integrity and honesty. They did not want integrity and honesty. I told them about Judge Paul Foxgrover, the judge who convicted me, and his involvement in the 80's with Operation Greylord. Operation Greylord was a government operation rooting out "white collar" crime in our Illinois court system. I told them about Attorney Swano and his disbarment and/or suspension from practicing law in Illinois because of his involvement in Greylord. Attorney Swano was one of my attorneys. Judge Paul Foxgrover admitted using monies illegally gathered from his bench to support his children's college careers. I had to get loans to go to college, which I am unable to pay because of the stigma I carry from my conviction under Judge Foxgrover. I wonder if there were any Illinois State's Attorneys involved in Operation Greylord. It may be I brought an unwelcomed issue before this Board. But, lets not forget, this is how our government operates in Illinois. The minority gets the shaft everytime.
Do you know the Illinois Prison Review Board panel asked me why did I want clemency? Do you know that lending institutions do a criminal background check along with a credit check in order to give you a student loan? I am 2 chapters away from getting my PhD in Human Services with a focus on Social Policy Analysis and Planning from Walden University. In September of 2004, Sallie Mae cancelled my loan for school because I could not get a co-signer. In the 12 years I have been going to school (after my convictions, while incarcerated, and after release from prison) I have never been asked by Sallie Mae for a co-signer.
Sallie Mae is an agent for "The First National Bank in Sioux Falls." I received a "signature loan" from Sallie Mae in September of 2003 because I had reached my limit in "student" loans obtaining my academic achievements. I asked Sallie Mae for a 2-year loan in September of 2003 because this loan would have assisted in the completion of my PhD program at Walden University. Sallie Mae refused the 2-year "signature loan", giving me a 1 year "signature loan" stating I had to re-apply every year for this "signature loan." When I re-applied in September of 2004 to complete the last 2 chapters toward my dissertation, I was denied the "signature loan" because of my credit history and my criminal convictions. Sallie Mae informed me my loan was cancelled because I could not get a co-signer. I had never been asked for a co-signer when obtaining a school loan toward my academic achievements.
I requested and was granted financial suspension/leave from Walden University on December 20, 2004 because I could not get a co-signer to finish the last 2 chapters of my dissertation for my PhD. Walden University policy dictates I must return to school in 2-years of being "financially suspended." This period ends on December 20, 2006. It appears I will not be able to get the loan I need to finish school.
I have presently acquired paperwork from the Honorable David E. Miller, State Representative for the 29th District of Illinois, seeking monies from the General Assembly Scholarship Fund to finish school. This scholarship is given to Illinois residents who meet certain criteria. If granted this scholarship, I must attend a school in Illinois. In order to get into a school in Illinois, I will need my transcripts from Walden University. I still owe Walden University money, which I could not get from Sallie Mae. I am not sure if Walden will give me my transcripts without receiving full payment of the debt owed. I will call Walden today to see what the procedures are in obtaining my transcripts. I am going to apply for this scholarship in January of 2007. I am not sure what school I will choose in Illinois to finish my PhD studies in Social Policy Analysis.
I did not have a G.E.D. when I was incarcerated on January 16, 1992. I was released from incarceration in Illinois on December 20, 1994. I was not incarcerated for a violent offense. I was incarcerated for a drug offense. Presently, I am counselor working in Illinois' Sheridan Correctional Center. I am a Certified Counselor working with inmates at Sheridan assisting in Governor Blagojevich's Sheridan Project attempting to prevent recidivism of drug related criminal activities and behaviors.
And the Illinois Prison Review Board asked me why did I want clemency. This statement from the Board writes the book on Illinois and its policies.
For posting this personal letter on the Internet, I purposely edited it to protect the innocent. Therefore, this letter is built on statements regarding my clemency only.
October 21, 2006State of Illinois, Rod R.Blagojevich
Prisoner Review Board
Mr. Jorge Montes, Chairman
319 E. Madison Street, Suite A
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Re: Fred L Nance Jr. – Docket #26670
CERTIFIED MAIL TO ALL RECIPIENTSMr. Montes:
Please make this letter/statement a supplement to Docket #26670.
On October 16, 2006, I attended an Executive Clemency Hearing with the Prison Review Board (Board) at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois in room 09-031 at 9:00 am. In attendance, in my hearing room, was the Honorable Jesse Jackson Sr., the Honorable Illinois State Representative Constance Howard and the Honorable U.S. Representative for Illinois Danny K. Davis. These distinguished individuals were in attendance for another individual seeking clemency.
Mr. Jackson, Ms. Howard and Davis articulated concerns about their interest and her request for clemency. For example, Mr. Jackson adamantly addressed concern when a Board member compared their interest with a past race riot in the area where she was arrested and convicted.
This letter addresses similar concerns about the written “Protest” report of Assistant State’s Attorney Leslie Quade and statements made by Mr. Diaz, Board member. I did not receive a copy of Ms. Quade’s report until the day of the hearing. I was prevented from responding and addressing the report in writing to present to the Board.
RemorseWhile addressing my appeal for clemency, Mr. Diaz made the statement “I have never seen so many people presenting clemency petitions with PhDs.” I perceived this to be a condescending statement. The only “people” presenting clemency at this time were “black” people. What does Mr. Diaz’s statement mean? I am black. Mr. Jackson and company’s interest is black. The fields we chose for our PhDs is the helping and education fields. Would this not be remorse for our “sins” against society? We did not have to choose Education and Human/Social Services for a discipline.
The Board, specifically Mr. Diaz, and an Illinois Assistant State’s Attorney (not Quade), insisted my petition did not show or speak of remorse, but rather, discussed at length how the circumstances I suffered were the fault of others. First, I want to say my petition gives an account of my life, from birth to the present. Someone would have to be prejudiced and biased toward my clemency petition to read into my petition anything other than an extensive account of my life and the circumstances, which led me down a path toward criminal activity. There is nothing but patterns of remorse throughout my petition. Notwithstanding, my sister being an attorney at the time I began my academic career criticizing me for picking up a sociology book instead of a law book. I chose human services to assist those with similar criminal thinking and behavioral patterns in adjusting to societal norms and to assist the socially disenfranchised and disadvantaged. These are signs of remorse.
Mr. Diaz questioned me about my 2003 arrest, which I supplied a detail description and analysis in my petition. This case was Nolle Prosequi. Mr.Diaz wanted to know how I am handling my issues now. First, I want to say I had no negative interaction with any police department during the period of 1991 to 2001. The 2003 issues are not criminal in nature and do not lend itself toward future criminal activity. The 2003 issues in my life deal with mental health and its disabilities, which Mr. Larry Ross (a witness for Fred Nance) so clearly articulated to the Board. Third, in my petition I state the issues do not rise to a level of criminal intent or activity. The issues are the product of a mental health challenge. Apparently, this is not enough for Mr. Diaz or Ms. Quade.
I also informed Mr. Diaz I handle the mental health challenges of others by “standing down” to them when I see the apparent escalation of the challenges. This can be seen by a mental health professional, which I am. I have been out of jail for 12 years, prospering in academic and personal achievements. When I was noticed,
in March of 2006, my background check had cleared me for employment with the Gateway Foundation working at Sheridan Correctional Center, I knew it was my time to apply for clemency. How did I get this clearance?
Illinois State’s Attorney ProtestMs. Leslie Quade, Assistant State’s Attorney, issued a protest on behalf of the Illinois State’s Attorney Office on October 4, 2006.
I did not receive a copy of this protest until I requested a copy at the hearing to address the issues contained therein. This Protest should have been mailed to me as my petition had to be mailed to the State’s Attorney Office so each party may have a chance to address the issues presented.
I was denied this opportunity and right, and therefore, present this written argument at this time.
Ms. Quade believes she has a compelling objection to my bid for clemency recommendation. If her position is so compelling, why does she alter the facts of my arrests leading to my convictions? On the 1st page of her protest, dated October 4, 2006, she reports “the petitioner knocked the officer down.”
This is untrue!!! There is nothing in the record to suggest or support such a statement. You have to ask yourself, why did Ms. Quade put a false statement in her protest? If I had knocked a police officer down I would have been charged with assaulting a police officer. I would not have been charged with resisting arrest. Check the record. Ms. Quade’s report goes on, stating I admitted I was delivering cocaine.
Do I appear to be stupid? I would never make such a statement. There is nothing in the court record to suggest such a statement. I was caught up in
Greylord with Judge Paul Foxgrover. Judge Foxgrover and his cohorts entangled me in their mess. (See A-14(c) attached to my petition)
Ms. Quade’s report states “a pardon is an act of grace and mercy. It must be reserved for the most extraordinary circumstances to have any meaning.” What determines “most extraordinary circumstances?” What I have accomplished academically, professionally and socially in the last 12 years is extraordinary. I have not committed any criminal offenses since 1991. I have not been found guilty of any criminal offense since 1991. I did not have a G.E.D. in 1991. I have 2 chapters left toward dissertation completion for a PhD in 2006. I have provided my curriculum vitae, accompanying accommodations and character references to the Board. Is this not extraordinary circumstances for grace and mercy? What do I have to do to meet this State’s requirements for clemency?
Ms. Quade’s protest puts a lot of emphasis on arrest and not convictions. First, I want to say the State has no compelling protest about the convictions being pardon. Second, regarding clemency for my convictions, the arrest record report by Ms. Quade is flawed because there are no convictions from the arrest. In addition and taking support away from Ms. Quade’s statements on my arrests, statistics will demonstrate blacks are arrested numerous times by police because the police believe they have probable cause. The arrest I suffered proved insufficient in a court of law for the probable cause theory offered by Ms. Quade.
It appears Ms.Quade is attempting to bring my convictions into today, as if I was just arrested and convicted. My convictions happened 15 or more years ago. I am asking this Board to look at what I have accomplished in the last 15 years.
Finally, on October 17, 2006 I received in the mail a “Notice of Criminal History Review.” According to this letter I am scheduled for a review of my criminal history on November 22, 2006. I requested and ordered this review in early July of 2006 from the South Holland Police Department (SHPD). I never received notice from SHPD. What purpose would this review serve now?
Someone is pulling strings somewhere else to prevent me from having a fair and impartial hearing on the merits of my petition for Executive Clemency.
I have a website:
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/ where I have addressed concerns regarding the Illinois State’s Attorney Office and the handling of my personal matters and various departments of the Governor’s office, which I believe have negatively impacted my clemency petition leading to constructive biases and prejudices toward clemency for me.
There was one white male Board member who gave me accolades for my achievements and suggested I should write a book. I informed this Board member and now proclaim to you I will write a book not only about this fiasco but also about the criminal justice system in Illinois and its attempt to permanently stigmatize a group of people through its arrests, incarcerations and clemency processes. There is no system of justice and fairness for this class of people in Illinois. It appears on its face that my petition was prejudiced and biased suggesting to this Prison Review Board to deny my petition for Executive Clemency.
The Assistant State’s Attorney at the hearing made a statement, which I objected to his sarcasm, but the statement is true. The State’s Attorney stated “Mr. Nance’s petition speaks of all the wrongs done to him.”
Clarence Darrow once stated, “As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever.”
Thomas Jefferson once stated, “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operation, perverted into tyranny.”
Something is wrong with this picture. I plead this Honorable Prison Review Board consider and affirm recommendation of Fred Nance’s petition for Executive Clemency to the sitting Governor for approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
cc: Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
U.S. Representative Danny Davis
Illinois Representative Constance Howard
