A state commission tasked with finding ways to reduce Illinois’ prison population is recommending major changes to how the state punishes felons. The Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform put out its final report. It includes 14 new recommendations to help the governor reach his goal of cutting the number of people in prison by 25%.
One of the recommendations would decrease the minimum prison sentence for all but the lowest level felonies. Another would lessen the penalty for some repeat offenders. John Maki is a member of the commission:
"In no way are we saying that prison is never the answer. It often is the answer, but when we use prison, especially when we use long sentences, we should do so with added discretion."
More than half of the new recommendations would require a change in Illinois law. Maki says he knows they will be quote “a heavy lift,” for lawmakers.