House OKs minimum prison term, notice of release

[February 04, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- The Illinois House is approving a requirement that all inmates serve 60 days before they qualify for good-conduct credit, or "meritorious good time."

Lawmakers voted 111-1 Tuesday to approve the bill from Democratic Rep. Emily McAsey of Lockport.

It answers the secret early release of more than 1,700 inmates from prison under Gov. Pat Quinn.

Some "MGT Push" parolees committed violent crimes and served just weeks behind bars.

The Quinn administration had dropped a minimum sentence requirement and was awarding up to six months of meritorious good-conduct time as soon as inmates arrived.

The Democrat stopped the practice after The Associated Press reported on it in December.

The bill moves to the Senate.

The bill is SB1013.

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On the Net: http://www.ilga.gov/

[Associated Pressldnauthor

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