2021 Impact
Public Act 102-0099 became law on July 15, 2021. This legislation has helped guide a conversation about the need for second-look opportunities for people who are currently incarcerated. HB 3587 created the Resentencing Task Force (RTF) to study innovative ways to create new pathways for resentencing and reduce Illinois’ prison population.
In January 2023, the RTF released a report of their year-long study, which included 16 recommendations for the Illinois General Assembly and governor. The report’s primary recommendation is that legislators and the governor create both prospective and retroactive resentencing opportunities, allowing people who are currently in prison to have their cases reviewed. This marks the first time an Illinois government entity has recommended retroactive reform and acknowledged that this kind of reform is both constitutional and overdue. It is clear: sentencing reform must be applied to people already incarcerated under laws that have since determined to be outdated or wrong.