2023 IMPACT
Public Act 102-1128 abolishes juvenile life without parole sentences in Illinois, making Illinois the 26th state (plus Washington D.C.) to ban these sentences. This legislation extends parole review to young people sentenced to natural life in prison; this ensures no children 17 and younger can receive a life without parole sentence. Public Act 102-1128 builds on the 2019 Youthful Parole Law, which created the first new parole opportunities in Illinois since our state abolished parole in 1978. These Illinois laws also make our state a leader in sentencing reform by recognizing young people’s brain development and ensuring most people 18-20 are parole-eligible.