HB 2488

Abstract

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a defendant at least 17 years of age who does not have a high school diploma or GED certificate, who is mentally capable, who is convicted of a felony, and who is sentenced to a term of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections (rather than a felon who has not been previously convicted of a misdemeanor or felony) shall as a condition of his or her sentence be required by the court to attend educational courses designed to prepare the defendant for a high school diploma and to work toward a high school diploma or to work toward passing the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and to obtain a high school diploma or pass the GED test. Eliminates the provision that working toward completing a vocational training program offered by the Department of Corrections satisfies the educational requirements.