Recent laws, Public Act 102-1128 (2023) and Public Act 100-1182 (2019) created the first new parole opportunities in Illinois since our state abolished parole in 1978. Together, the laws ensure no children 17 and younger can receive a life without parole sentence; they also extend parole consideration to most people 18-20.
Since these youthful parole laws were not retroactive, people who were sentenced as children and young adults before 2019 are still serving life without parole sentences.
HB 3332 is a fair, cost-effective, age-appropriate way to ensure children and young adults are held accountable for the harm they have caused while offering them an opportunity to redeem themselves.
