Changes to the Illinois Crime Reduction Act

 Posted on January 16, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Often, new laws are set to take effect with the start of a new year, and 2025 is no exception. Specifically, some amendments to the Illinois Crime Reduction Act focus on language changes and expansion of Illinois’ Adult Redeploy Programs. These opportunities offer an alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders and focus on rehabilitation and treatment of underlying factors to reduce repeat offenders and reduce prison populations. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges, speak with a qualified Illinois criminal defense lawyer to understand whether an Adult Redeploy program is relevant for you.

What Does Adult Redeploy Mean?

Sometimes, instead of serving a prison sentence, a defendant can be given the opportunity to take part in a rehabilitation program through community-based services. These can include substance abuse counseling, education, mental health treatment, education, and other services intended to address the root causes of the defendant’s criminal behavior. Illinois’s redeploy programs use research-based strategies to help defendants develop behavior management skills that help them avoid repeating their criminal activity and successfully reenter society.

How Does Adult Redeploy Work?

In 2009, Illinois passed the Crime Reduction Act, which created the Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) program that offered new alternatives to incarceration for eligible individuals. This was motivated by research that demonstrated how non-violent offenders were more likely to be effectively rehabilitated in community settings rather than prison. With prisons costing taxpayers a lot of money, ARI was considered beneficial in more ways than one.

Resources provided by ARI help local jurisdictions safely supervise individuals in the community, which reduces recidivism, or repeat offenses. In certain cases, judges can divert eligible individuals from incarceration to the state’s redeploy program, which combines required participation in rehabilitative services with strict probation supervision to ensure compliance with the program guidelines.

Who is Eligible for Adult Redeploy Programs?

ARI is meant for nonviolent offenders who would otherwise receive a prison sentence. They are typically facing convictions of less severe felonies and have demonstrated potential for successful rehabilitation.

Language Changes in the Law

In addition to expanded Adult Redeploy services, House Bill 4409 states that offenders are no longer to be referred to by that term but instead should be called "justice-impacted individuals." This can impact people in various ways, but it is particularly influential in removing some of the stigma surrounding a criminal record. It takes some of the judgmentalness out of any discussion of your past experience with the criminal justice system and helps people discuss your background with facts rather than emotions.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Naperville, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer

As laws evolve to reflect deeper awareness and recognition of how public safety goals can best be met, it is important to understand their impact. Call 630-416-7600 to speak with a knowledgeable Naperville, IL criminal defense attorney from Law Office of Philip R. Nathe who can answer your questions and offer valuable guidance.