YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PAROLE

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person who was under 25 years of age at the time of the commission of an offense, after serving 15 years or more of his or her sentence of either natural life imprisonment or a term or cumulative term of 20 years or more of imprisonment, may file a petition for sentencing review in the circuit court of the county in which he or she was originally sentenced. Provides that following the hearing, the court may affirm or reduce the petitioner's sentence, subject to certain restrictions related to the filing of a second petition. Establishes factors that the court must consider in granting or denying the petition. Provides that an offender who has petitioned the circuit court for sentencing review shall not be eligible to submit a second petition until at least 10 years have elapsed since the date on which the circuit court received and filed the initial petition. Provides that the order following a sentencing review hearing is a final judgment. Creates similar provisions that apply retroactively to persons sentenced before the effective date of the bill. Creates the Youthful Offender Parole Board which shall be the paroling authority for offenders re-sentenced under these provisions. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that jurisdiction to review an en banc determination by the Youthful Offender Parole Board is vested in the Appellate Court of the judicial district which encompasses the county in which the appellant was originally sentenced.