Illinois Senate approves bill to raise minimum arrest age for minors
Illinois Senate approves bill to raise minimum minor arrest age
Kids under a certain age would no longer face arrest with a new Illinois bill moving through Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A proposal to raise the age at which minors can be arrested cleared the Illinois Senate this week, part of a final legislative push before lawmakers head into their Easter recess.
What we know:
The bill, introduced by State Sen. Robert Peters, a Democrat from Chicago, would increase the minimum age for detaining a minor from 10 to 12 years old in Illinois.
Peters said the change is aimed at reshaping the state’s approach to juvenile justice by focusing more on rehabilitation and less on punishment.
"Our juvenile justice system should focus on rehabilitation over punishment," Peters said in a statement. "By raising the age...and emphasizing alternative methods, we’re giving young people a fair chance at reformation without subjecting them to the damaging effects of detention at an early age."
What's next:
The bill passed the Senate late Thursday and now heads to the Illinois House for consideration.
The Source: The information in this article was provided by Illinois state lawmakers.