Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Sentencing
Defendant appealed the trial court’s denial of his motion for leave to file a successive post-conviction petition, arguing that he met the cause and prejudice test on his claim that his 35-year sentence violated the Illinois proportionate penalties clause. The appellate court affirmed, finding that defendant did not meet the threshold requirement of establishing that his sentence constituted a de facto life sentence. (REYES and MARTIN, concurring)