(The Center Square) – Illinois is known for some drastic criminal justice reforms, but some are saying that one recent proposal may have gone too far.
Emotions ran high when state Rep. Theresa Mah’s, D-Chicago, piece of legislation was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. Her bill called for allowing youths in prison serving lengthy sentences for serious crimes they committed under 21 years old to be eligible for resentencing options.
“This is a fair, cost-effective, age appropriate way to ensure children and young adults are held accountable for the harm they have caused while offering an opportunity to redeem themselves,” said Mah.
The legislation called for imprisoned individuals who had already served more than 10 years behind bars for the crimes committed when they were under 21 to be able to petition a judge for release. Just over 1,000 inmates would be immediately affected.
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, a former state’s attorney, said the legislation ignores the victims of those crimes along with their families.
“They should not be having to come back to court to relive the loss that they suffered either being a victim of a crime or the family of a victim of a murder,” said Windhorst.
State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, who is a police detective in Rockford, said he has seen some disturbing things while on the force and this legislation goes too far.
“Murder is brutal, it is final for one person, but it’s a lifetime for their family,” said Cabbello.
One Republican lawmaker asked Mah if the bill would include those serving time who committed crimes against children in which Mah admitted that it would.
Several Democrats sided with Republicans and voted down the measure 51-49.
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