IllinoisIllinois law allows voluntary meetings before juvenile sentencing starting in 2027
Taking effect January 1, 2027, the law lets juvenile judges require people to consider available meetings to repair harm, while keeping participation voluntary.
What it does
Before sentencing, judges may require people in juvenile cases to consider available meetings to repair harm. Participation is voluntary, and any agreement is a recommendation to the court.
Courts, prosecutors, or both may establish community mediation programs. Young people referred to these programs must admit responsibility for the offense to participate.
Argument forVoluntary meetings could help young people and those harmed agree on ways to repair harm before the judge decides a sentence.
Argument againstBecause meetings depend on available services, young people in some communities might have fewer chances to seek an agreement instead of sentencing.
More detail
Judges may require the people involved to consider a meeting to discuss and repair harm. This option applies to people involved in juvenile cases before the judge enters a sentence. The process must be available, and everyone must participate voluntarily. Any agreement must contain only reasonable obligations that fit the harm. It must be recommended to the court as an alternative to sentencing. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Courts, prosecutors, or both may establish community mediation programs. Community panels informally hear juvenile cases referred by police officers, probation officers, or prosecutors. An organization designated by the prosecutor may also establish a program. Young people must be offered participation and admit responsibility for the offense to qualify. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 31Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0668Latest
- Jul 31Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Jul 31Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 18Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 22Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III
- May 21Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris III
- May 20Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 20Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
- May 20Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
- May 20Passed Both Houses
- May 20Third Reading - Passed; 039-018-000Passed Senate
- May 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026
- May 14Second ReadingMinor
- May 6Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026Minor
- May 6Do Pass Criminal Law; 006-002-000
- May 5Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson
- May 5Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
- May 5Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters
- Apr 29Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
- Apr 29Assigned to Criminal LawMinor
- Apr 28Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
- Apr 21Referred to Assignments
- Apr 21First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
- Apr 21Placed on Calendar Order of First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 2 TabledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 3. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 16Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 065-039-000Passed House
- Apr 16Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 3 AdoptedMajor
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 2 Withdrawn by Rep. Justin Slaughter
- Apr 16Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Yolonda Morris
- Apr 16Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Restorative Justice & Public Safety Committee; 007-003-000Minor
- Apr 14House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Restorative Justice & Public Safety Committee
- Apr 10Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Apr 10Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Apr 9House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 9House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Justin SlaughterMinor
- Apr 9House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Restorative Justice & Public Safety Committee; 007-004-000Minor
- Apr 8House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Restorative Justice & Public Safety Committee
- Apr 8House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 8House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Justin SlaughterMinor
- Mar 20Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 20House Committee Amendment No. 1 TabledMinor
- Mar 20Do Pass / Short Debate Restorative Justice & Public Safety Committee; 007-003-000
- Mar 19House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- Mar 19House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Justin SlaughterMinor
- Mar 12Assigned to Restorative Justice & Public Safety CommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
- Feb 3Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 3First ReadingMinor
- Jan 28Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Justin SlaughterIntroduced
Criminal Justice