Young people are more impulsive, susceptible to peer pressure, and more likely to grow out of their mistakes; people 20 and younger cannot purchase alcohol or cigarettes, drive a commercial vehicle across state lines, or rent a car.

Yet, Illinois law adds 15, 20, or 25 years to prison sentences of people 18 and older (including emerging adults) who had firearms during the commission of certain felonies. Fifteen years are added if a firearm is possessed but not discharged; 20 years are added if the gun is discharged with no injuries; and 25 years are added if there is a death or grievous injury—no matter what.

Acknowledging young people are different, Governor Rauner signed HB 2471 into law in 2015. Public Act 99-069 (HB 2471) made firearm enhancements discretionary for people younger than 18 and established a nine-point framework for setting appropriate sentences.

HB 1501 would expand this successful sentencing framework to 18, 19, and 20 year olds.