Court Opinion

ID: 9718142
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 07:17:42.116987+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:57.559947
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE COOK, dissenting: In regard to the identical-elements test, the aggravating element in section (a)(1) is that the accused “threatened to use *** a dangerous weapon,” and the aggravating element in section (a)(3) is that the accused acted in such a manner as to “threaten or endanger the life of the victim.” 720 ILCS 5/12 — 14(a)(1), (a)(3) (West 2004). It is difficult to see any practical difference between these two aggravating elements, yet one comes with a mandatory 10-year sentencing enhancement and the other does not. Compounding this inconsistency, the trial court was required to tack on the 10-year sentencing enhancement to each of the four aggravated-criminal-sexual-assault counts, which in turn were required to be served consecutively. The practical result is that defendant received a 40-year sentencing enhancement because he threatened to use a knife. The proportionate-penalties clause requires that “penalties be determined both according to the seriousness of the offense and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful citizenship.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, §11. Threatening to use a knife did not so change the nature and character of this offense that defendant should receive an additional 40 years’ imprisonment.