Non-violent offenses, such as some theft charges and drug possession charges, have historically resulted in jail time for convicted offenders. Thanks to a new law, however, these same offenses are now eligible for probation. If you or someone you love has recently been charged with a non-violent offense, the following information can help you better understand your options. It can also ensure you understand where to find quality assistance with your criminal case.

Overcrowded Prisons in Illinois Prompt Bill

Data from the Department of Bureau of Justice Statistics placed Illinois' prison capacity at 150 percent. To decrease this number by at least 25 percent by the end of 2025, Governor Bruce Rauner created the Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform. Otherwise titled Senate Bill 3124, the new law targets certain non-violent offenders, including first-time offenders charged with Class 3 and Class 4 felonies.

A six-week clean-up initiative by the United States Marshals Service has led to the capture of more than 7,000 felony fugitives across the country, including more than 100 in the greater Chicago area. The sweep represented an enormous cooperative effort between federal authorities, regional task forces, and local law enforcement in an attempt to get criminals off the streets in addition to seizing drugs and illegal weapons.

Known as Operation Violence Reduction 7, the initiative which ran from March 2 through April 10 is being heralded as a success, both locally and nationwide. Director of the U.S. Marshals Service Stacia Hylton said, “Operation VR 7 was not about increasing arrest numbers, but rather an effort to further protect communities by targeting the most dangerous felony fugitives.” She credited the cooperation of community leaders and local police departments in helping “to get the worst of the worst fugitives off the streets.”

The U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Task Force spearheaded the sweep throughout Illinois, as well as Wisconsin and Indiana. Nearly 480 felony fugitives were apprehended throughout the region, many of them wanted related to charges of homicide, drug violations, and weapons offenses. Law enforcement officials captured 123 fugitives in the Chicago area alone.