by Restore Justice, in partnership with John Howard Association Changes to Illinois' Truth in Sentencing law become effective on January 1, 2020. Here is what you need to know. Disclaimer: Restore Justice was not a part of the legislative effort that resulted in the passage of HB0094,...
Bill Would Give Families Visiting Incarcerated Loved Ones a Statewide Point of Contact We applaud Senator Laura Fine for introducing SB 2311. This measure would establish a statewide contact within the Illinois Department of Corrections for family members and other visitors of inmates. Currently, those with...
Contacts: Marshan Allen, (708) 483-7737; Chairman Justin Slaughter, (217) 782-0010 Illinois’ Felony-Murder Rule Harms Individuals, Families, & Communities SPRINGFIELD-The Judiciary - Criminal Law Committee chaired by Representative Justin Slaughter is holding a subject matter hearing on Wednesday, November 13 at 9 a.m. in D-1 of the Stratton...
We remain grateful State’s Attorney Nerheim dropped felony-murder charges against the five young people involved in this Lake County case. With that said, we must strike down the provisions of Illinois law that allowed for these charges in the first place. Our state’s overly broad felony-murder...
[ngg src="galleries" display="basic_slideshow"] Tone Stockenstrom Photography “To think, they actually tried to throw us away…” Eleven men who were each incarcerated for between 13 and 35 years for youthful convictions came together on Saturday, September 28 to help change the equation for so-called “violent offenders.” Our first apprentice,...
Restore Justice thanks Lake County State’s Attorney Nerheim for engaging with community members, hearing a variety of viewpoints, and ultimately dropping felony-murder charges against Curtis Dawson, Kendrick Cooper, and Diamond, Steven, and Stacy Davis. The teens have been held for a month, charged with the...
Right-size sentencing laws relating to violent crimes in Illinois. “FELONY-MURDER RULE” REFORM Illinois has one of the broadest felony-murder statutes in the country. A person can be charged and convicted of first-degree murder—a conviction that carries a minimum sentence of twenty years and, under certain circumstances, a...
July 17, 2019 Dear Friends, Here is the latest letter compiled by the Restore Justice team. We are grateful for your letters and have taken some time to attempt to answer your questions about legislation and other policy developments below. Please stay in touch! *** Legislative Updates We got a...
The criminal justice system in Illinois can often feel like a jigsaw puzzle, full of interlocking laws, policies, and eccentricities that can be overwhelming even to experienced advocates. Over the next few months, Restore Justice will publish a series of “Know More” posts. Each post...
We have added six new members to our board, bringing our total number of board members to 23. Barbara Flynn Currie Barbara retired from the Illinois General Assembly this year after representing the 25th District, which includes portions of the Chicago communities of Woodlawn, South...