In Illinois, people convicted of offenses must serve a period of Mandatory Supervised Release (MSR) upon their release from prison. This system, distinct from parole—which was abolished in Illinois in 1978—requires the completion of the entire prison sentence before MSR begins, rather than allowing for early release.

The primary objective of MSR is to ease the transition from incarceration back into the community, providing crucial supervision and support. To achieve this, MSR includes conditions such as counseling, substance abuse treatment, and educational programming, all aimed at facilitating rehabilitation and successful reintegration.

• With over 19,000 people currently on MSR in Illinois, the existing system faces challenges in its discharge process, resulting in current MSR terms often extending way beyond the time necessary for people to complete all specified conditions.
• The current system lacks an effective process for granting early discharge upon satisfactory completion of required conditions.
• In 2022, the Prisoner Review Board (PRB) received 5,000 requests for early release from (MSR). However, only 2,430 requests were reviewed, leaving approximately 2,570 requests without a response. Impressively, of the requests reviewed, 85% (or 2,068) were approved for early discharge.

• Early Discharge Incentive:  This bill will allow people to be discharged from MSR once the supervision officer determines that all the specific conditions of their release have been met.
• Resource Reallocation: The enactment of HB 5487 will free up resources currently tied to prolonged MSR periods. These resources can then be redirected toward initiatives that improve public safety and rehabilitation efforts.
• Enhanced Compliance: By providing a clear pathway to early discharge, the bill encourages people to diligently comply with and complete their MSR conditions.
• Efficient Use of Resources:  The bill allows for a more efficient allocation of state resources, focusing on areas that directly contribute to public safety and community well-being.
• Supports Rehabilitation Goals:  Facilitates a more focused and meaningful rehabilitation process, aligned with the completion of MSR conditions.
• Reduces Unnecessary Supervision:  Eliminates extended periods of supervision that may not contribute to the individual's rehabilitation or community safety.