SB1615 Summary

• Increases felony-to-misdemeanor thresholds for theft, retail theft, deceptive practices, criminal damage to property, and criminal defacement from $500 to $2,500.

• Reclassifies simple possession of cannabis (over 10 grams), controlled substances (except methamphetamine and anabolic steroids), and methamphetamine as Class A misdemeanors instead of felonies.

• Allows incarcerated persons sentenced for offenses now classified as misdemeanors to petition courts for resentencing and sentence recall.

• Creates the Justice Reinvestment Fund in the State treasury to receive 85% of savings from reduced incarceration costs, to be distributed to counties for community investments in job training, drug treatment, mental health services, youth programs, and alternatives to justice system involvement.

• Requires the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council to calculate annual incarceration savings by July 31st and the Comptroller to transfer funds to the Justice Reinvestment Fund by August 31st of each year.