IL HB2471

Amends sentencing provisions in the Criminal Code to require courts consider mitigating factors specific to offenders under 18 years old, including age, maturity, family background, potential for rehabilitation, and degree of participation in the offense.

Allows courts discretion to decline imposing firearm-related sentencing enhancements for defendants under 18 years old convicted of specified violent crimes including aggravated kidnapping, criminal sexual assault, and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

Establishes that offenders under 18 at time of commission of these offenses shall be sentenced under new Section 5-4.5-105 rather than mandatory adult sentences, except first degree murder convictions carry a minimum 40-year sentence.

For first degree murder convictions of juveniles, eliminates the possibility of natural life sentences for certain categories (prior first degree murder conviction, multiple victims, or crimes against protected persons) unless offender was 18 or older at time of offense.

Modifies habitual criminal sentencing to require offender be 18 years or older at time of third offense to receive mandatory natural life imprisonment.