Rep. Martha Deuter supports HB5020 to increase minimum age for extended juvenile prosecution

Rep. Martha Deuter (D-45th) cast a Yes vote for HB5020, legislation focused on increasing the minimum age for extended juvenile prosecution, during the 104th General Assembly session on May 31, 2026. The measure passed the Illinois House by a margin of 75-39, according to the Illinois House.

The official summary of the bill is: "JUV CT-EXTENDED JUR JUV PROS."

Based on a review of the bill’s text, here is a summary that may include clarifying interpretation of its key aspects.

Primarily, the proposal raises the minimum age for a minor to qualify for extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution from 13 to 15 for actions that would be felonies if committed by adults. It also modifies the criteria judges use after establishing probable cause to determine, with clear and convincing evidence, whether a minor should face adult sentencing according to the Unified Code of Corrections. These considerations now explicitly include the youth’s age, maturity, mental and physical health, disabilities, family and social background—such as trauma and abuse—the details of the offense, environmental pressures, level of participation, planning, and potential benefits and availability of juvenile rehabilitation.

HB5020’s last recorded action in the chamber was 'Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs.'

Deuter earned her BSW from Ohio University in 1995.

She was elected as a Democrat to the Illinois State House from the 45th District in 2025, succeeding Jenn Ladisch Douglass.

In Illinois, legislative proposals proceed through a multi-step process, beginning with introduction before advancing to committee consideration, floor debate, and full chamber votes before reaching the governor to sign or veto. The General Assembly operates on a two-year cycle, and while thousands of measures are proposed in each session, a relatively small percentage ultimately become law.