Exonerees who have been granted a pardon by the Governor or a certificate of innocence by the Circuit Court are eligible for the following compensation:

• $85,350 for those who served up to five years

• $170,000 for those who served between five and 14 years

• $199.150 for those who served more than 14 years

The law also reimburses attorney's fees up to 25 percent of the compensation award, and provides job search and placement services. Effective: 2008

Download the Statutes here: ILCS 505-8 and ILCS 1015/2 (PDFs)

Facts on Post-Conviction DNA Exonerations

In 200th DNA Exoneration Nationwide, Jerry Miller in Chicago Is Proven Innocent 25 Years After Wrongful Conviction

Dean Cage, Wrongfully Convicted Based on Eyewitness ID Practices that Are Still in Place Today, Is Exonerated in Chicago with DNA

Compensating The Wrongly Convicted

A life stolen, a long road back

Compensating the Wrongfully Convicted

After Exoneration

81% of Exonerated People Who Have Been Compensated Under State Laws Received Less Than the Federal Standard, New Innocence Project Report Shows