By Associated Press - Friday, January 24, 2014

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Two Illinois lawmakers want to abolish Cook County’s jail boot camp after a newspaper reported violent felons were being sentenced to the program meant for non-violent offenders.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports (https://bit.ly/KTzyF9 ) the measure is being co-sponsored by state Rep. Dennis Reboletti and Rep. Michael Zalewski. Reboletti is a Republican from Elmhurst and Zalewski is a Riverside Democrat.

A state law created the boot camp in 1996, but barred violent offenders from participating in the prison alternative.

The Sun-Times reported last year that some violent offenders were being sentenced to the program anyway. That prompted judges to revoke the sentences for four inmates. One has been resentenced to prison.

Reboletti says the proposal would let inmates already in the program finish their time.

___

Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, https://www.suntimes.com/index

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide