State Senator Annazette Collins submitted legislation this week that will reduce the severity of punishment for juvenile offenders in Illinois.

Three separate pieces of legislation will raise the age an alleged delinquent minor can be placed in a detention facility from 10 (currently) to 13, seal the arrest records of minors not convicted of serious crimes after the age of 18, and make a felony confession without a lawyer present inadmissible in court for minors under the age of 17.

“We have to recognize that young people deserve a second chance at life; free of being tied to the wrong side of the criminal justice system,” Senator Collins said. “Our young people often do foolish things, but we have to make it easier for them to learn from mistakes and move on.”

Senator Collins has dedicated her career to championing causes aimed at reforming the juvenile justice system in Illinois. When authoring her latest round of reform legislation the Senator from Chicago’s 5th legislative district worked with the Juvenile Justice Initiative, a statewide advocacy coalition to transform the juvenile justice system.

“Many young people get in trouble as kids and grow up thinking their juvenile history is behind them, only to find out as adults that this isn’t the case,” said Elizabeth Clarke, president of Juvenile Justice Initiative. “We want to halt the reporting of these usually minor incidents until the age of 18 so that these minors will have a better chance to be responsible adults.”

Who:   State Senator Annazette Collins (D-Chicago)
What:  Senate Bill 3194 (seals the arrest records of minors not convicted of serious crimes after the age of 18) 
Senate Bill 3195 (makes a felony confession without a lawyer present inadmissible in court for minors under the age of 17)
Senate Bill 3196 (increases the minimum age of detention placement from 10 to 13)