SPRINGFIELD — In a continued push to build a fairer and more rehabilitative justice system, State Senator Adriane Johnson is championing legislation to make it easier for young people convicted of serious crimes to have their sentences reviewed under evolving constitutional standards.

“Young people deserve a system that recognizes their capacity for change,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This bill acknowledges that emerging adults are fundamentally different from fully mature adults, and our sentencing practices must reflect that.”

Senate Bill 248 would eliminate procedural barriers that currently prevent individuals convicted of a felony before turning 21 from seeking sentence review based on the principles of restorative justice embedded in the Illinois Constitution.

The legislation would allow these individuals to request relief without having to prove an external barrier prevented them from raising their claim earlier — a significant hurdle for many sentenced before legal precedents were established.

This measure builds on a growing body of legal precedent recognizing the importance of youth in sentencing. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2012 ruling in Miller v. Alabama, states must consider factors such as trauma, peer pressure, and the potential for rehabilitation when sentencing juveniles. The Illinois Supreme Court has since extended those protections to individuals up to age 21 and those serving de facto life sentences — defined as terms exceeding 40 years.

“The science is clear and our courts agree: emerging adults think and behave differently than older adults. But too many people remain behind bars because the law hasn’t caught up to these realities,” Johnson said. “This measure is about correcting that injustice.”

Senate Bill 248 passed the Senate Wednesday.