Pritzker signs law to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for minors

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KHQA) — Governor JB Pritzker on Friday signed a new bill into law that reform the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice’s, IDDJ, operations and policies.

Under the new law, called Procedural Justice for Youth Act, mandatory minimum sentences will be reduced and the use of isolation and room confinement will end for juvenile offenders.

"Our Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is continuing its transformational work to build a system that nurtures our young people, supports their growth, and fosters a successful return to a welcoming community,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m proud to sign the Procedural Justice for Youth Act into law to advance this critical mission as we leave the punitive models of the past behind and reimagine our juvenile justice system. I want to thank IDJJ Director Heidi Mueller for her leadership and the sponsoring lawmakers Sen. Connor and Rep. Slaughter for passing this vital legislation.”

House Bill 3513 enhances procedural justice by removing mandatory penalties that create longer sentences for younger teens than for older youth who commit the same offenses. Youth labeled as Habitual Juvenile Offenders or Violent Offenders will no longer be committed until age 21, but instead will receive a proportionate extension to their stay at IDJJ. The bill also clarifies concurrent sentencing, so that calculating sentences is done uniformly for youth across the state.

In addition, the measure prohibits IDJJ from using isolation or room confinement as a punishment in response to youth behavior, in line with the Department’s consent decree and national standards for juvenile facilities.

The bill takes effect immediately.