ILLINOIS SENTENCING POLICY ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Sentencing Policy Advisory Council (SPAC) is Illinois’ non-partisan, independent sentencing commission. The Council was developed by the Criminal Law Edit, Alignment and Reform (CLEAR) Commission to bring together diverse viewpoints and is mandated to analyze the systemwide consequences of sentencing policy decisions. SPAC is also mandated to address the effective allocation of resources to support policy changes. SPAC reports directly to the Illinois General Assembly, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Governor. See 730 ILCS 5/5-8-8.

In every aspect of its work, SPAC mindful of the purposes of sentencing in Illinois:

• Prescribe sanctions proportionate to the seriousness of the offenses and permit the recognition of differences in rehabilitation possibilities among individual offenders;
• Forbid and prevent the commission of offenses;
• Prevent arbitrary or oppressive treatment of persons adjudicated offenders or delinquents; and
• Restore offenders to useful citizenship. See 730 ILCS 5/1-1-2.

The members of SPAC represent diverse perspectives and experiences from across the criminal justice system. SPAC members include legislators, retired judges, the Illinois Attorney General, prosecutors, defense attorneys, representatives of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, law enforcement officials, academics, and a victim of violent crime. The directors of the Illinois State Police, Department of Corrections, Prisoner Review Board, and Criminal Justice Information Authority serve as ex officio members.