Jail cells

This law will provide exonerees up to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment, including time spent in pretrial detention or a juvenile detention facility before exoneration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday to help wrongfully convicted people receive more compensation from the state.

There have been roughly 600 exonerations since 1989, but current laws have led to inconsistent and inadequate compensation for exonerees. 

"The Certificate of Innocence Act represents a lifeline for those who have been wrongfully incarcerated or unjustly treated throughout the criminal justice system," Pritzker said. 

This law will provide exonerees up to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment, including time spent in pretrial detention or a juvenile detention facility before exoneration.

"Illinois law caps recovery no matter how long a person was in prison, and we pay below the poverty line," said Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago). "House Bill 3663 enables the Court of Claims to award up to $50,000 per year for each year wrongfully imprisoned. This is the federally recommended minimum set in 2004."

This law also states people should receive $25,000 for each year they wrongfully spent on probation, parole, or the sex offender registry. The measure makes children eligible to receive compensation if they've been unjustly incarcerated as a juvenile as well. 

The legislation received unanimous support in both chambers. 

"Today marks a change in how the state of Illinois sees and responds to the injustice of a wrongful incarceration," said Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago). "When the system gets it wrong, it's on us as leaders to step up and make it right. This law goes beyond compensation to provide a path toward justice." 

This law took effect immediately. 

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