SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to legislation led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, youth offenders will have more clarity about when they may petition for parole as of Jan. 1.

“This law clears up confusion around the timeline young people are eligible for parole so they can begin a fresh start as soon as they are able to,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “After doing their time and working to better themselves, young people deserve to re-enter their communities to get started on their future.”  

Currently, young people who were under 21 at the time of committing a criminal offense can file a petition for a parole hearing up to three years before they are eligible for parole. If appropriately filed, the Prisoner Review Board sets a parole hearing date three years from the date it received the petition. However, sometimes a person is already eligible for a youthful parole hearing when they file a petition because they have already served the required number of years. This has caused some confusion when they file a petition over if the parole hearing can take place within a year, or if they have to wait three years for a hearing.

House Bill 2546 clarifies that youth offenders can file a petition for parole up to three years before becoming eligible. The new law clarifies that the hearing can be scheduled a year in advance, addressing confusion surrounding the timeline. With this clarity, young people may be able to have their parole hearing in a timelier manner, allowing them to re-enter society earlier.

“This law makes sure the youth parole eligibility process is transparent,” said Cervantes. “Now, young people who have made mistakes will have a running chance of re-entering society and becoming a productive member of their community as soon as possible.”

House Bill 2546 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.