Bill Seeks To Change Court Procedures For Juvenile Offenders

CHICAGO (AP) — A measure awaiting a decision by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner would end automatic transfers to adult court for 15-year-olds and limit the transfer of 16- and 17-year-olds for serious charges, including first-degree murder.

The legislation addresses the vastly different outcomes for those charged as adults receiving long prison sentences and those who remained in juvenile courts to walk free at age 21. Juvenile court cases also typically aren’t made public, allowing young offenders to reintegrate into society without a permanent criminal record once they complete their sentence.

The Chicago Tribune reports that a main provision of the new measure calls for data tracking by all counties. Experts hope it will help address racial disparities in the juvenile offenders placed in adult court.

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