Give Adrian Gomez a Second Chance

We are asking the public to stand with Adrian Gomez and support his right to have his Youthful Parole petition properly recognized and processed under Illinois law.

Adrian has spent approximately 18 years in prison for an offense he committed when he was only 16 years old.

But there is an important issue surrounding his case that deserves public attention.

These are two different petitions.
An Executive Clemency petition and a Youthful Parole petition under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-115 are not the same legal process.

Executive clemency is a request for relief from the Governor, such as a pardon or commutation. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board processes clemency petitions and makes recommendations to the Governor.

Youthful Parole is different.

Under Illinois law, 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-115 establishes a statutory parole-review process for qualifying individuals who committed offenses while under the applicable age threshold. The petition is submitted for consideration by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board itself recognizes Youthful Parole Hearings and Clemency Hearings as separate types of proceedings.

That distinction matters.

Adrian previously submitted an Executive Clemency petition. He later submitted a petition specifically requesting Youthful Parole consideration under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-115.

Our concern is that the later petition was identified or treated as an Executive Clemency petition because Adrian had previously sought clemency—and that his Youthful Parole petition was therefore not processed as the statutory petition he submitted.

How can a petition specifically requesting Youthful Parole under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-115 be rejected or treated as an Executive Clemency petition simply because a different clemency petition was previously filed?

We are not asking anyone to guarantee Adrian parole.

We are not asking anyone to ignore the seriousness of the offense or the harm caused.

We are asking for something much simpler:

Read the petition. Identify it correctly. Apply the law that governs it. And give Adrian the opportunity to receive the review provided by that law.

Illinois law provides a process for Youthful Parole petitions. The statute states that when such a petition is received, the Prisoner Review Board is to determine whether it is appropriately filed and, if it determines that it is not, notify the petitioner in writing and provide the basis for that determination.

That is why we are asking for accountability and proper processing not special treatment.

Before a decision is made about someone's future, shouldn't the petition actually be read, correctly identified, and evaluated under the law under which it was filed?

Adrian was 16.
At the time of the offense, Adrian was a child approximately 120 pounds and just over five feet tall.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were complicated and included violence directed toward Adrian shortly before the offense.

The person who committed that offense at 16 is not the same person who stands before the world today.

Adrian has spent approximately 18 years incarcerated nearly his entire adult life.

During those years, he has worked to transform himself.

He has pursued education and personal development. He has earned numerous certificates. He has worked to help other incarcerated individuals learn, grow, and make better decisions.

Instead of encouraging others to repeat his mistakes, he has dedicated himself to encouraging people to change.

That transformation matters.

We are not asking anyone to forget the past.

We are not asking anyone to minimize the loss of life.

We are asking people to recognize something fundamental:

Young people can change.

A 16-year-old does not have the same maturity, judgment, or life experience as an adult.

Adrian has had approximately 18 years to grow from that teenager into the man he is today.

He has spent years educating himself, developing himself, and helping others.

Now he is asking for the opportunity to continue that work outside prison.

We are asking for a second chance not a guarantee.
Please sign this petition.

Please share Adrian's story with your family, friends, community, elected representatives, attorneys, and anyone who believes in rehabilitation and second chances.

Every signature helps make his situation visible.

Every share helps bring attention to the distinction between Executive Clemency and Youthful Parole.

And every voice can help ensure that Adrian's request receives the proper consideration it deserves.

Give Adrian Gomez the opportunity to be heard.

Give him the opportunity to receive the review provided under Illinois law.

Give him a second chance.

Sign. Share. Speak up.

#JusticeForAdrianGomez #SecondChance #YouthJustice #YouthfulParole #Rehabilitation #GiveHimAChance