Illinois

There are numerous bills in the Illinois legislature that would give people parole eligibility or an opportunity to be resentenced in court after serving a lengthy period in prison. Each bill has important differences, but on the whole, FAMM supports the general goal of these efforts.

SB 2129 (Sen. Villanueva) / HB 3373 (Rep. Ammons) – These bills would establish “earned reentry,” which would allow people who have served at least 20 years to be considered for release by the Prisoner Review Board. For the first year following the effective date of the bill, a person would be eligible for earned reentry if he or she has served a term of imprisonment of at least 35 consecutive years. For the second year following the effective date of the bill, a person would be eligible for earned reentry if he or she has served a term of imprisonment of at least 25 consecutive years. For the third year following the effective date of the bill and each year thereafter, a person would be eligible for earned reentry if he or she has served a term of imprisonment of at least 20 consecutive years. The bill, if passed, would be retroactive and allow people currently in prison to seek earned reentry on this timeline. FAMM supports these bills.

• Take action here to support these bills.
• Read FAMM’s testimony in support of SB 2129/HB 3373
• Bill Summary: Earned Reentry in SB 2129/HB 3373

HB 2045 (Rep. Slaughter) – This bill would make people over age 55 who have served at least 25 years eligible for parole. This bill would be retroactive.

• Read FAMM’s testimony in support of HB 2045
• Bill Summary: Geriatric Parole in HB 2045

SB 2073 (Sen. Lewis) – In 2019, Illinois established parole eligibility after 10, 20, or 40 years (depending on the crime) for most crimes for people who were under 21 at the time of the crime. This bill would make that retroactive.

SB 2258 (Sen. Peters) – This bill would allow anyone who has served at least 10 years to file a motion for resentencing with the circuit court of the county in which they were sentenced.

SB 2067 (Sen. Villanueva)/HB 2324 (Rep. Collins) would ensure that people convicted under Illinois’ theory of accountability are charged and sentenced based on their actual involvement in a crime, not the actions of others. Currently, you can be charged with and convicted of a crime you did not plan, agree to, participate in, or intend to commit. FAMM supports this bill.

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