This petition is in support of Edham Salkic’s clemency, as we are asking the governor, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, to commutate his sentence. Edham is a loving, hardworking son, father and husband who made a mistake that changed his life forever. He was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and received a sentence of 12 years at 85%. It was basically a drug deal gone wrong. He was also charged with violation of bail bond and received 3 years at 50%. Currently, he has already served about 5 years. He was given close to the maximum sentence for a crime that left no one injured. He is very remorseful for the acts he committed in the past. Being incarcerated has shown Edham that the choices you make in life have serious consequences and he has reflected on his past decisions. Edham is a caring father, and his son means the world to him. Edham lost his father at a young age and doesn’t want his son to go through the same experience. He wants to be able to come home so that he can become a better role model for his son and to teach him the right ways so that his son never walks in his footsteps. 

Every day that he serves he tries to better himself as a man. He has rehabilitated himself and is no longer a threat to society. He works long hours at the facility, sometimes 12-hour shifts a day, to keep himself busy and stay motivated. He received his GED and worked as a GED assistant to help fellow inmates receive their GED as well. He has also participated in many of the programs the facility offers, including drug programs, completing college credit classes, and received numerous certificates. He has worked in the hospice program where he tended to the dying inmates. Edham made sure to give 100% in every job or program he participated in. He’s always on his best behavior with barely any write ups. 

Edham has accepted his consequences and continues to serve his sentence in a positive, uplifting manner. He shows compassion to others around him and wants to show the world that he isn’t just a number in the system or a monster. Edham has learned that it’s never too late to become a better person. He spends his time trying to show the facility, his family, and his friends that he hasn’t given up on life and continues to reach for the sky. Back then, he was a naive boy who fell in the wrong crowd, but now he is a man who has learned to accept what life has given him and just wants to show the world that you can change for the better if you have it in your heart. All he needs is a second chance at life. We all make mistakes we are not proud of. He just wants to become part of the honest working class who has shown many around him that it's never late to have a second chance regardless of the situation. Please consider the time he has left and show your support in helping bring Edham closer to home! Thank you for your time and support.