2023 IL App (3d) 220055

Opinion filed July 12, 2023 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

IN THE

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

THIRD DISTRICT

2023 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF )

ILLINOIS, ) 

 ) 

Plaintiff-Appellee, ) 

 ) 

 v. ) 

 ) 

JERRY A. STEVENSON, ) 

 ) 

Defendant-Appellant. ) 

Appeal from the Circuit Court

of the 18th Judicial Circuit, 

Du Page County, Illinois

Appeal No. 3-22-0055 

Circuit No. 18-CF-2137 

Honorable 

Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh, 

Judge, Presiding. 

____________________________________________________________________________

JUSTICE PETERSON delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. 

Justices McDade and Hettel concurred in the judgment and opinion. 

____________________________________________________________________________

OPINION

¶ 1 Defendant, Jerry A. Stevenson, appeals his conviction for aggravated driving while under 

the influence (DUI). Defendant argues that his statutory speedy trial rights were violated where 

the State filed additional felony charges stemming from the same incident almost a year after the 

initial indictment. Further, defendant argues that the Du Page County circuit court erred in denying 

him the opportunity to elect to be sentenced under a new, favorable sentencing provision where 

the change in law occurred while his motion to reconsider sentence was pending. We affirm. 
2 

¶ 2 I. BACKGROUND

¶ 3 On August 13, 2018, defendant was involved in a single car accident. He was issued various 

traffic citations and placed under arrest.1 On September 20, 2018, the State charged defendant with 

felony driving while license revoked (DWLR) (625 ILCS 5/6-303(d-4) (West 2018)). On that date, 

a bench warrant was issued for defendant’s arrest. The warrant was served on December 28, 2018. 

Defendant posted bond and was released from custody that same day. 

¶ 4 Between March 14 and August 20, 2019, the State indicted defendant on five additional 

counts of aggravated DUI under varying legal theories, stemming from the same August 13, 2018, 

traffic accident. Relevant to this appeal, count V of the indictment alleged that defendant 

committed aggravated DUI where he drove a vehicle while the alcohol concentration in his blood 

was 0.16 or more and he had committed “a violation of 625 ILCS 5/11- 501(a) or similar provision 

at least three (3) prior times.” See id. § 11-501(a)(1), (d)(1)(A), (d)(2)(C).

¶ 5 On November 1, 2019, defendant entered an open plea of guilty to count V. After a series 

of delays, defendant was sentenced on May 10, 2021. At that time, the court sentenced defendant 

to seven years’ imprisonment followed by two years’ mandatory supervised release (MSR). 

Defendant filed a motion to reconsider sentence. At the July 16, 2021, hearing, the court noted that 

defendant was sentenced on May 10 and indicated that the new MSR period for Class 2 felonies 

took effect on July 1, 2021, and would not apply to defendant since he was sentenced prior to that 

date. Defense counsel agreed that the MSR changes would not apply to defendant. The court 

denied defendant’s motion to reconsider sentence. Defendant appeals. 

1

The record on appeal begins on September 20, 2018, when the first felony count was charged. 

Accordingly, it does not reflect when defendant was released from custody after his initial arrest.
3 

¶ 6 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 7 On appeal, defendant argues that his speedy trial rights were violated. Further, defendant 

argues that he was entitled to elect the benefit of a change to the sentencing law resulting in a lesser 

term of MSR. Defendant acknowledges that he forfeited these issues but argues they are reversible 

plain errors.

¶ 8 The plain error doctrine permits a reviewing court to remedy a “clear or obvious error” 

when (1) “the evidence is so closely balanced that the error alone threatened to tip the scales of 

justice against the defendant, regardless of the seriousness of the error,” or (2) “that error is so 

serious that it affected the fairness of the defendant’s trial and challenged the integrity of the 

judicial process, regardless of the closeness of the evidence.” People v. Piatkowski, 225 Ill. 2d 551, 

565 (2007). Defendant contends that his claims of error are reversible under the second prong of 

the plain error analysis. The first step of the plain error analysis is to determine whether an error 

occurred. People v. Eppinger, 2013 IL 114121, ¶ 19. 

¶ 9 A. Speedy Trial Violation

¶ 10 First, defendant argues that his speedy trial rights were violated when the State filed new 

charges of aggravated DUI more than one year after he was initially indicted for DWLR stemming 

from the same August 13, 2018, traffic accident. A defendant is guaranteed the right to a speedy 

trial both constitutionally and statutorily. U.S. Const., amends. VI, XIV; Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, 

§ 8; 725 ILCS 5/103-5 (West 2018). While the constitutional and statutory rights address 

comparable concerns, “the rights established by each of them are not necessarily coextensive.” 

People v. Kliner, 185 Ill. 2d 81, 114 (1998). Here, defendant argues a violation of his statutory 

right to a speedy trial. The speedy trial statute provides, in relevant part, that: 
4 

“(a) Every person in custody in this State for an alleged offense shall be 

tried by the court having jurisdiction within 120 days from the date he *** was 

taken into custody unless delay is occasioned by the defendant ***. *** 

 *** 

(b) Every person on bail or recognizance shall be tried by the court having 

jurisdiction within 160 days from the date defendant demands trial unless delay is 

occasioned by the defendant ***. *** 

For purposes of computing the 160 day period under this subsection (b), 

every person who was in custody for an alleged offense and demanded trial and is 

subsequently released on bail or recognizance and demands trial, shall be given 

credit for time spent in custody following the making of the demand while in 

custody. Any demand for trial made under this subsection (b) shall be in writing

***.” 725 ILCS 5/103-5(a), (b) (West 2018). 

The 120-day speedy trial period, prescribed by section 103-5(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure 

of 1963 (Code) (id.), begins when defendant is taken into custody, regardless of whether he makes 

a demand for trial. People v. Garrett, 136 Ill. 2d 318, 324 (1990). However, section 103-5(b) 

requires defendants who are not in custody to make a written demand to start the 160-day speedy 

trial period. Id.; 725 ILCS 5/103-5(b) (West 2018). Here, multiple related charges are involved, 

which complicates the calculation of the speedy trial period. People v. Williams, 204 Ill. 2d 191, 

198 (2003). In such instances, we must determine whether the compulsory joinder rule applies. 

People v. Rogers, 2021 IL 126163, ¶ 30.

¶ 11 Under the compulsory joinder rule, the State is required to join multiple charges against a 

defendant into a single prosecution if the charges are (1) known to the prosecutor at the 
5 

commencement of the prosecution, (2) within the jurisdiction of the same court, and (3) based 

upon the same act. People v. Kazenko, 2012 IL App (3d) 110529, ¶ 12. When the initial and 

subsequent charges are subject to compulsory joinder, these multiple charges are subject to the 

same speedy trial period. People v. Hunter, 2013 IL 114100, ¶ 10. 

“[W]hen the compulsory-joinder rule applies, a delay that occurs on the original 

charge (or charges) and that is attributable to defendant will not toll the speedy-trial 

period as to a subsequent charge (or charges), if the delay occurred before the 

subsequent charge was filed because the subsequent charge was not before the court 

when the delay occurred.” Kazenko, 2012 IL App (3d) 110529, ¶ 13. 

¶ 12 The parties disagree on whether compulsory joinder applies to these charges. Even 

assuming, arguendo, that it does, no speedy trial violation occurred. Defendant asserts that each 

of the 334 days between the initial indictment and the filing of the aggravated DUI charges are 

attributable to the State and far exceed the 160-day period allowed by statute. However, the record 

is completely devoid of any demand for trial. “[T]he 160-day speedy-trial period available *** to 

defendants who have been released on bail or recognizance does not commence running until an 

effective demand for trial is made.” Garrett, 136 Ill. 2d at 331. 

¶ 13 Defendant points out that the speedy trial period began when he was arrested on August 

13, 2018. While no demand is necessary for defendants in custody to begin the speedy trial clock 

under section 103-5(a) of the Code, section 103-5(b) imposes a duty on defendants who are not in 

custody to demand a speedy trial in writing. 725 ILCS 5/103-5(a), (b) (West 2018). Section 103-

5(b) addresses the issue of when a defendant begins in custody and is subsequently released. Id.

Where an effective demand was made in custody, a defendant receives credit for the days accrued 

during that period. Id. Accordingly, the plain language of the statute illustrates that defendant’s 
6 

custodial status from August 13, 2018, until September 19, 2018, does not relieve him of the duty 

to make an effective demand for trial. While the parties’ arguments did not focus on this duty, it 

is readily apparent from the record that no clear or obvious error occurred. See People v. Tondini, 

2019 IL App (3d) 170370, ¶ 25 (providing that this court “may affirm for any reason apparent on 

the record”).

¶ 14 Defendant argues that, in the absence of finding plain error, we should find ineffective 

assistance of counsel for failing to preserve the issue. Defendant contends that counsel’s failure to 

raise this issue also constitutes a lack of compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(d) (eff. 

July 1, 2017).2 To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must 

demonstrate that (1) counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and

(2) counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced the defendant. People v. Veach, 2017 IL 120649, 

¶ 30; Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). Where no speedy trial violation 

occurred, counsel did not provide ineffective assistance or fail to comply with Rule 604(d). See

People v. Pitsonbarger, 205 Ill. 2d 444, 465 (2002) (“if the underlying claim has no merit, no 

prejudice resulted, and [defendant’s] claims of ineffective assistance of counsel *** must fail”).

¶ 15 B. Mandatory Supervised Release 

¶ 16 Next, defendant argues that, where there was a change in law governing the length of MSR, 

he is entitled to elect the benefit of that change where his motion to reconsider sentence was 

pending before the court at the time of the change. Prior to July 1, 2021, the sentencing provisions 

for most Class 2 felonies included two years’ MSR. 730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(d)(2) (West 2020). Effective 

2

Defendant makes no argument that counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to make an 

effective demand for trial and has, therefore, forfeited any such argument. See Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7) (eff. 

Oct. 1, 2020) (“Points not argued are forfeited and shall not be raised in the reply brief, in oral argument, 

or on petition for rehearing.”).
7 

July 1, 2021, the prescribed term of MSR for most Class 2 felonies became 12 months. Id.; Pub. 

Act 101-652, § 10-281 (eff. July 1, 2021). Defendant’s sentencing judgment was entered on May 

10, 2021. The court denied his motion to reconsider sentence on July 16, 2021. Defendant contends 

that, because his motion to reconsider was pending when the change in law occurred, he is entitled 

to elect for sentencing under the new law.

¶ 17 Where the temporal reach of a new law is not explicitly indicated, section 4 of the Statute 

on Statutes (5 ILCS 70/4 (West 2020)) provides that reach. People v. Hunter, 2017 IL 121306, 

¶ 22. In relevant part, section 4 provides that: “[i]f any penalty, forfeiture or punishment be 

mitigated by any provisions of a new law, such provision may, by the consent of the party affected, 

be applied to any judgment pronounced after the new law takes effect.” (Emphasis added.) 5 ILCS 

70/4 (West 2020). Our supreme court has long held that section 4 does not give “defendant the 

right to be sentenced under a law not in full force and effect at the time of his sentence.” People v. 

Lisle, 390 Ill. 327, 328 (1945); see also People v. Hansen, 28 Ill. 2d 322, 340-41 (1963); Hunter, 

2017 IL 121306, ¶ 54. 

¶ 18 Here, the sentencing judgment was pronounced on May 10, 2021, prior to the effective 

date of the new MSR statute. Defendant’s pending motion to reconsider sentence does not change 

the fact that the judgment had been pronounced before the July 1, 2021, effective date. The purpose 

of a motion to reconsider is not to provide a new sentencing hearing but to determine whether the 

initial sentence was appropriate and correct. People v. Vernon, 285 Ill. App. 3d 302, 304 (1996). 

Only a retroactive change in the law would affect a sentence, such as defendant’s, which was 

pronounced prior to the effective date of the new law. People v. Foster, 2022 IL App (3d) 210342-

U, ¶ 16; see also Ill. S. Ct. R. 23(e)(1) (eff. Jan. 1, 2021) (stating that a nonprecedential order 

entered under Rule 23(b) “may be cited for persuasive purposes”). While defendant relies on 
8 

People v. Spears, 2022 IL App (2d) 210583, in support of his position, we reject Spears, instead 

adopting our court’s decision in Foster, 2022 IL App (3d) 210342-U. We note that the Fourth 

District has since endorsed our reasoning in Foster and declined to follow Spears. See People v. 

Brown, 2023 IL App (4th) 220400, ¶¶ 45-51. Accordingly, the court did not err in denying 

defendant the benefit of the new sentencing statute. 

¶ 19 Defendant argues that counsel provided ineffective assistance for acquiescing to the court’s 

statements that the change in MSR would not apply to defendant’s case and failing to advocate for 

the application of those changes. However, as discussed above, the court correctly indicated that 

the change in the law did not apply to defendant. Defendant cannot demonstrate prejudice from 

counsel’s failure to disagree with the court’s correct statement of the law or advocate for relief that 

defendant was not entitled to. See People v. Simpson, 2015 IL 116512, ¶ 35 (“A defendant must 

satisfy both prongs of the Strickland test and a failure to satisfy any one of the prongs precludes a 

finding of ineffectiveness.”). 

¶ 20 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 21 The judgment of the circuit court of Du Page County is affirmed. 

¶ 22 Affirmed. 
9 

People v. Stevenson, 2023 IL App (3d) 220055

Decision Under Review: Appeal from the Circuit Court of Du Page County, No. 18-CF2137; the Hon. Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh, Judge, presiding. 

Attorneys

for

Appellant:

James E. Chadd, Thomas A. Lilien, and Kerry Goettsch, of State 

Appellate Defender’s Office, of Elgin, for appellant.

Attorneys

for

Appellee:

Robert B. Berlin, State’s Attorney, of Wheaton (Lisa Anne 

Hoffman and Eric R. Vincent, Assistant State’s Attorneys, of 

counsel), for the People.