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HB 2764

Relating to programs in the Department of Human Services; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Evans

Illinois creates earned reentry: Prisoner Review Board may terminate long sentences (incl. life terms) after 20–35 years served, retroactive, with MSR, effective Jan 1, 2026.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 2764

Summary of HB 2764 — “Earned Reentry” (Illinois, 104th General Assembly)

Note: the materials provided include text from two different HB 2764 drafts (an Arizona proposal declaring “Howdy” the official state greeting and an Illinois bill on corrections). The substantive summary below focuses on the Illinois measure introduced by Rep. Carol Ammons (and multiple cosponsors) that establishes an “earned reentry” process for long-term and life‑sentenced prisoners.

Purpose

To create a statutory mechanism by which people serving long prison terms — including life sentences — may become eligible for termination of their sentence (“earned reentry”) after a specified period of incarceration. The intent stated in the bill is to reduce excessive and racially disparate sentences, safely reduce prison populations and costs, incentivize rehabilitation, and use existing review mechanisms to improve public safety and reentry outcomes.

Key provisions

  • Adds new Section 3‑3‑3.1 to the Unified Code of Corrections defining and authorizing “earned reentry.”
  • Definition: “Earned reentry” = termination of an incarcerated person’s sentence granted by the Prisoner Review Board (PRB). If granted, the sentence is considered complete after the term of mandatory supervised release (MSR).
  • Eligibility schedule (implementation):
    • Year 1 after the Act’s effective date: eligible if at least 35 consecutive years served.
    • Year 2: eligible if at least 25 consecutive years served.
    • Year 3 and thereafter: eligible if at least 20 consecutive years served.
  • Applies to persons serving terms of imprisonment, including natural life.
  • Hearings for earned reentry are administered by the Prisoner Review Board and conducted under the Open Parole Hearings Act; the PRB must contact eligible persons.
  • Victims and families must be notified and may participate under existing victims’ rights law.
  • Removes the existing provision that natural life terms can only be ended through executive clemency (i.e., allows PRB consideration).
  • Retroactive application to currently incarcerated persons.
  • Specifies that the new process does not delay other parole or MSR consideration for those already eligible earlier, and does not limit other court‑ordered sentencing relief.
  • Contains severability and an explicit effective date: January 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Incarcerated persons serving long determinate sentences and life sentences in Illinois correctional facilities (including those already serving such terms).
  • Victims and victims’ families (notification and participation rights).
  • Prisoner Review Board (expanded caseload and new procedural duties).
  • Illinois Department of Corrections (potential population/operational impacts).
  • Courts may be indirectly affected (retroactivity and interplay with other relief).

Potential impacts

  • Could reduce long-term incarceration and associated costs if PRB grants earned reentry in significant numbers.
  • Creates formal review and incentive structure for rehabilitation among those serving very long sentences.
  • May increase PRB workload and require administrative capacity for hearings, victim notifications, and reentry coordination.
  • Could prompt debate and litigation over retroactive application, standards for release, and public‑safety assessments.

Procedural status & timeline (as provided)

  • Illinois bill introduced: Feb. 6, 2025 (Rep. Carol Ammons).
  • Effective date if enacted: January 1, 2026.
  • Multiple cosponsors listed; hearings to be administered by PRB per the bill text.

(For reference: the materials also included an unrelated Arizona House draft titled “State greeting; HOWDY,” which is not part of the Illinois earned‑reentry measure.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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