People v. Rhoades

Defendant was convicted, after bench trial, of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and was sentenced to mandatory term of natural life and 12 years, respectively.  Severity of Defendant's crime, including prior convictions for assault on victim under age 13, brings mandatory life sentence he received within established constitutional boundaries, and was not grossly disproportionate to the crime committed. Section 11-1.40(b)(2) of Criminal Code, which places mandatory life sentence for a sexual predator, is not unconstitutional on its face. (KNECHT and CAVANAGH, concurring.)