SPRINGFIELD--State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes led legislation to clear up the timeline for people who were committed an offense under the age of 21 to petition for parole is one step closer to becoming law, passing the Senate on Thursday. 

“In Illinois, we believe in second chances, and the power of rehabilitation to transform the lives of people who have committed criminal offenses,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We are continuing to work toward a more humane criminal justice system, and give young people the chance to apply for parole earlier and get a fresh start.”

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 would clarify that youth offenders can file a petition for parole up to three years before becoming eligible. Additionally, it clarifies that the hearing can be scheduled a year in advance. This addresses previous confusion from the Prisoner Review Board that required offenders to wait three years for their hearing, not the time period for them to file the petition. With this clarity, young people may be able to have their parole hearing in a more timely manner, allowing them to re-enter society earlier.

“For many people who have been working on themselves, the only thing holding them back from the chance of parole is confusion and miscommunication around when they are eligible to apply,” said Cervantes. “By clearing up the timeline, we are giving countless young people the opportunity to come back to their communities and support systems sooner, setting them up for a more successful future.”

House Bill 2546 passed the Senate on Thursday.