Restore Justice Applauds Governor Pritzker, Representatives Slaughter and Cassidy, and Senator Peters for Moving Illinois Closer to Retroactive Reform

We applaud Governor JB Pritzker for moving Illinois closer to retroactive sentencing reform. On Thursday, July 15, Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 3587 into law. This bill will create a Resentencing Task Force to study innovative ways to reduce Illinois’s prison population. The task force will consider ways for incarcerated people, state’s attorneys, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), and judges to file resentencing motions to allow second looks for people who previously received long sentences. The task force will be composed of a diverse group of stakeholders and will submit recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor’s Office by July 1, 2022. 

Representatives Justin Slaughter and Kelly Cassidy, and Senator Robert Peters sponsored HB 3587. These legislators are champions for commonsense, compassionate policies that acknowledge our “tough on crime” laws did not make anyone safer but did deprive families of loved ones and communities of voices. In Illinois, virtually all sentencing reform legislation is prospective only; lawmakers recognize the injustice of a law but do not provide opportunities for release to those who bore the brunt of the bad policy. 

“Too many people are serving extreme sentences that don’t make us safer. We need to create second look opportunities to not only allow for the possibility of redemption but also to incentivize rehabilitation and reunite families,” Restore Justice Policy Director Lindsey Hammond said.

Restore Justice has three men on our team that each served more than 25 years in prison for youthful convictions and received second chances through the US Supreme Court. Had it been up to the Illinois Legislature, these men would still be serving life without parole. Instead, they are supporting their families, their communities, and the people they left behind in prison. They work as violence prevention mentors, help others reacclimate to society, and spend their time with their children and grandchildren. There are thousands of men just like them in Illinois prisons.

“I was truly blessed to have a second chance at life, and I can attest that people who serve long sentences should be part of the solution,” Restore Justice Future Leaders Apprentice James Swansey said. “‘We are the examples, not the exception,’ my friend Marshan Allen always says. Marshan has also flourished with his second chance. People who change for the better because they really want to become better people should benefit from this task force. We need to bring home more people who would make an immediate positive change in their communities and society. I know many individuals that will shine if given the chance.”

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Restore Justice, which comprises Restore Justice Foundation and Restore Justice Illinois, works to address issues faced by those serving life or de-facto life sentences, their families, and their communities. Founded in 2015 by a dedicated group of advocates that included the late former Congressman, Federal Judge, and White House Counsel Abner Mikva, Restore Justice trains and supports advocates, conducts research, nurtures partnerships, and develops policy solutions that will roll back ineffective “tough on crime” policies of the past, replacing them with compassionate, smart, and safe policies for the future.

6 Comments
  • Anthony Walker
    Posted at 23:33h, 15 July Reply

    I have a brother by the name of Swavell Toliver that’s currently incarcerated in IDOC and has been for over 24 years with almost 12 years left. He has worked hard to improve himself by schooling and other programs. Please see what can be done to help my brother.

  • Brian Harrington Jr
    Posted at 23:40h, 15 July Reply

    Some cases deserve to be reviewed for early consideration of release. This is one of them. Swavell Toliver

  • Rita Garcia
    Posted at 18:23h, 27 July Reply

    I have a Fiance that has been incarcerated since the age of 15 years old he’s now 40 he definitely has done his time. Please consider looking into helping him. If you need more information contact me.

  • Randi Gutierrez
    Posted at 01:29h, 02 August Reply

    My husband Armando Gutierrez is currently incarcerated in Menard correctional facility for 21 years he has a 60 year sentence he has done his time and deserves a second chance at life please do all you can to help him!

  • LISA STIFF
    Posted at 20:42h, 01 January Reply

    My son is on a 22 year sentence for home invasion / dangerous weapon he got 15 year sentence on gun enhancement please see if you can help him Joseph

  • Morgan L. Schlosser
    Posted at 03:24h, 31 January Reply

    I hope all of your loved get a second chance though this justice reform. My situation is a little different. My loved one was sentence to 3 1/2 years for driving on a revoked license. A very lengthy sentence if you ask me. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Especially since the judge who sentenced him has had more dui’s and driving infraction than most. However, because we live in a small Illinois town and not alot of money for legal defense he sits in Sheridan Correctional Center. On lockdown because of Covid. He has tried everything to lesson his sentence, thru school, job and good time but all has been denied because of covid. His name is Christopher. If anyone has any advise. Please leave me a message.
    Sincerely
    M. Schlosser

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