HB5471 Summary

• Changes sentencing requirement for first degree murder from discretionary ("may") to mandatory ("shall") when the defendant is 18 or older and the murder involved exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty.

• Adds a new sentencing category (viii) to Section 5-8-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections establishing mandatory natural life imprisonment for adults convicted of first degree murder accompanied by brutal or heinous conduct.

• Maintains existing mandatory natural life sentences for other aggravating circumstances including prior murder convictions, murders of children under 12, multiple victims, and murders of peace officers or emergency personnel.

• Applies to the 97th General Assembly (2011-2012) and amends Illinois criminal sentencing law regarding capital and non-capital murder cases.