IL HB6310

Commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice must only occur at original sentencing hearings for felony convictions, not as punishment for probation revocation.

Length of commitment must be proportionate to the underlying offense and comparable to sentences for similarly situated minors.

Courts must consider individualized factors before commitment, including the minor's age, criminal background, educational history, mental and physical health, previous services received, and whether secure confinement is necessary.

Minors committed for first degree murder (age 13+) serve until age 21 with no release options for the first 5 years, then become eligible for aftercare release.

All other committed minors are eligible for aftercare release with terms of 1.5 years for Class X felonies, 1 year for Class 1-2 felonies, and 6 months for Class 3 felonies or lesser offenses.