HB 5126

Abstract

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that at least 5 members of the Prisoner Review Board shall have actual experience in the law enforcement profession as law enforcement officers or prosecutors. Provides that the decision to parole and the conditions of parole for all prisoners who were sentenced for first degree murder shall be determined by at least a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the Prisoner Review Board. Provides that at the parole hearing one representative of the person under consideration for parole designated by that person or his or her legal representative may present oral testimony in support of parole, one representative of law enforcement from the county of conviction designated by the State's Attorney of that county may present oral testimony concerning the impact of parole on public safety and the community, and one family member of each victim of the crime committed by the person under consideration for parole may present oral testimony of the impact the person under consideration for parole has made on his or her life and his or her family's lives. Provides that a person intending to present oral testimony at the parole hearing shall give the Board at least 7 days notice prior to the hearing. Amends the Open Parole Hearings Act. Provides that en banc hearings of the Board shall be available for live viewing by the public through livestream made available on the Prisoner Review Board's website. Provides that a Board decision concerning parole, or parole or aftercare release revocation for an inmate convicted of first degree murder shall be sent to the Governor and the Governor shall either grant or deny parole, or parole or aftercare release revocation of an inmate convicted of first degree murder, and the decision shall be final upon action by the Governor. The decision of the Governor concerning parole, or parole or aftercare release revocation of an inmate convicted of first degree murder, shall be delivered to the inmate. Provides that those decisions are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.