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Bill Status

Passed Senate Committee

CREATE RETROACTIVE PAROLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS – SB 2073

Senate Sponsor: Senator Seth Lewis

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Support SB 2073

Senate Bill 2073 would allow people currently incarcerated and convicted when they were younger than 21 to benefit from recent prospective parole laws.

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Bill overview

SB 2073 would apply youthful parole laws from 2019 and 2023 retroactively to make sure youthful parole opportunities are applied fairly and evenly and bring Illinois in line with most states that have abolished life without parole for children and young adults.

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BACKGROUND

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.

If passed today, only 523 people in Illinois (or 1.7% of the current prison population) would be eligible immediately, 355 of whom were convicted in Cook County.

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Restore Justice focuses on sentencing, prison conditions and practices, and pathways to release.

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