Bill > HB2367

This bill amends the Unified Code of Corrections to fundamentally change how sentence credits are awarded to incarcerated individuals in Illinois. The bill eliminates previous restrictions on sentence credits for various offenses and establishes a more uniform approach to earning credits. Key provisions include mandating that the Department of Corrections provide one day of sentence credit for each day served in prison, with the exception of those serving natural life sentences. Within six months of the bill's effective date, the Department must recalculate each incarcerated person's release date by crediting one day for each day previously spent in prison. The bill also allows individuals serving life sentences to accumulate sentence credits that can be applied if their sentence is later reduced. Additionally, the legislation maintains provisions for earning extra sentence credits through educational programming, with credits available for obtaining high school equivalency certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's or professional degrees. The bill aims to provide more consistent and potentially earlier release opportunities for incarcerated individuals, while maintaining some discretionary mechanisms for the Department of Corrections to manage sentence credits. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2026.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2367&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104