Bill > SB0277

This bill amends the Unified Code of Corrections to mandate a natural life imprisonment sentence for a first-degree murder case involving a child under the age of 5 who dies from abusive head trauma. Specifically, the bill applies to defendants who are 18 years or older and are found guilty of murdering a young child through what is medically known as abusive head trauma. The bill provides detailed definitions of key terms, clarifying that "abusive head trauma" includes shaken baby syndrome, which is defined as a severe head injury caused by forcibly shaking or throwing an infant or young child so that the brain rebounds against the skull. This legislation aims to provide a strict sentencing approach for cases involving fatal violence against very young children, ensuring that perpetrators of such severe and intentional harm receive the most serious possible criminal punishment under Illinois law.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=277&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104