Advocates Rally in Support of Reinstating Parole in Illinois: ‘We’re Violating the Constitution’

Blair Paddock | September 17, 2026, 3:54 pm

Johnnie “Khalif” Veal of criminal justice reform group Project Sound Off speaks in front of Gov. JB Pritzker’s downtown Chicago office on Sept. 17, 2026. (Blair Paddock / WTTW News)

Nearly 50 people gathered outside of Gov. JB Pritzker’s downtown Chicago office Thursday and alleged that Illinois is not upholding its constitution.

Thursday marked Constitution Day, commemorating the Sept. 17, 1787, signing of the U.S. Constitution.

At issue in Illinois is Article 1, Section 11, which states one objective of incarceration is “restoring the offender to useful citizenship.”

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Illinois’ use of determinate sentencing, in which someone must serve the entirety of their sentence without eligibility for parole, contradicts that section, advocates argue.

“We are dealing with a geriatric program in the (Illinois Department of Corrections),” said Johnnie “Khalif” Veal, who was previously incarcerated and now heads the criminal justice reform group Project Sound Off. “People are serving 40 to 50 years in a state where there’s no outlet, no parole, there’s no chance for redress.”

Advocates said it’s time to recognize the value of second chances, and for parole, or “earned reentry,” to be reinstated. That would allow people to be released before the completion of their sentence.

Criminal justice reform group Parole Illinois, which in part headed Thursday’s rally, called on state lawmakers to pass the Earned Reentry Bill, HB2764. It did not make it out of the House last legislative session.

The bill would create a review process where after at least 20 consecutive years of incarceration, people are given the chance to make their case for parole before the state’s Prisoner Review Board.

During the first three years of implementation, about 3,900 people could be eligible for earned reentry, according to a study from the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council.

Max Cerda, who was previously a member of the Prisoner Review Board and has been incarcerated, supports the bill.

“I witnessed when we give an individual a chance to demonstrate redemption and rehabilitation, our community and society can benefit,” Cerda said. “We’re positive proof that people can change.”

Ronnie Carrasquillo, who has appeared before the Prisoner Review Board and is now out of prison, also spoke in support of the measure. Carrasquillo was one of the few eligible for parole, as he was sentenced prior to its abolishment in the state in 1978.

“I was a participant of the parole board when it was a parole board,” Carrasquillo said. “Without that release available, we’re violating the constitution that says to restore to useful citizenship.”