August 11, 2009

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate

96th General Assembly

Today I return Senate Bill 1725 with my specific recommendation for change.  I thank the sponsors for their hard work.  I am supportive of the policy goals of this legislation.  I recommend certain revisions today because I believe that a meaningful study of this issue requires more time than the legislation currently allows.

Senate Bill 1725 establishes the Youth Reentry Improvement Law of 2009 to mandate the Juvenile Justice Commission to develop a report on youth parole violators that contains data driven recommendations to effectively reintegrate these youth back into communities.  The complexity of this issue is such that the deadline for the report’s completion is too soon to allow for a thorough examination.    

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 1725, entitled “AN ACT concerning criminal law.”, with the following specific recommendation for change:

on page 3, line 8, by replacing “2009” with “2010”.

With this change, Senate Bill 1725 will have my approval.  I respectfully request your concurrence. 

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor