CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a slew of bills aimed at overhauling parts of the state’s criminal justice system, including new rules for juvenile offenders.
Among the bills the Republican governor signed into law on Monday are proposals to change the minimum probation period for convicted juvenile, allow juveniles to immediately petition for expungement, and require an attorney be present when police question juveniles younger than 15.
Rauner says the criminal justice system should be approached “with more compassion.”
Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission Chairman George Timberlake says the new laws are a step in the right direction, though more could be done to improve Illinois’ system for allowing expungements.
Other measures signed Monday including one aimed at reducing phone call costs for inmates and a review of a pre-sentencing report.