Larry Hoover became the focus of renewed calls for clemency on Tuesday (May 14) as community leaders and elected officials from Chicago’s South Side urged Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to act following the commutation of Hoover’s federal sentences by Donald Trump.
The push for clemency comes as Hoover, the 74-year-old founder of the Gangster Disciples, remains imprisoned under a 200-year Illinois state sentence tied to a 1973 murder conviction.
Despite Trump’s order declaring Hoover’s federal life sentences “deemed served with no further restitution, probation or conditions,” the state sentence keeps him behind bars.
Ja’Mal Green, a community organizer and longtime family friend, said the time has come for the governor to show leadership.
“I think there’s a mass pressure here for JB to show that he believes in redemption,” Green told NBC 5 Chicago. “This is merely politics if JB Pritzker does not use a stroke of his pen.”
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board must first receive a formal petition from Hoover before it can make a recommendation to the governor. Only then can Pritzker consider clemency.
Alderman Stephanie Coleman, who represents the 16th Ward, questioned how long someone must wait for a second chance.
“At what point do we give a second chance?” she asked, pointing to the justice system’s stated goal of rehabilitation.
State Sen. Willie Preston echoed that sentiment, saying, “I think if the Prisoner Review Board looks at the totality of this situation, I think that they will make a recommendation for the governor to provide clemency to Mr. Hoover.”
He added, “I understand folks on both sides, some who quite frankly felt a lot of pain, but also those who can believe in the power of redemption.”
Larry Hoover Jr. Says Father “Deserves Redemption”
Hoover’s son, Larry Hoover Jr., said his father has changed and wants to contribute positively to the community.
“He deserves redemption,” he said during a recent interview. “He deserves a second chance at being a part of this community, and he can be a benefit to this community if they want him to be a benefit to this community.”
Winndye Hoover, his wife, said the commutation of his federal time was long overdue. “It’s overwhelming. It’s a long time coming, and we just want to hope it go all the way through.”
Hoover’s legal team has argued that his decades in prison have transformed him:
“The courts have shown a complete reluctance to acknowledge Mr. Hoover’s significant growth and total rehabilitation. Despite the court’s failure to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has managed to maintain his voice through the remarkable efforts of numerous advocates and supporters.”
Hoover must still file a clemency petition with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board before any further steps can be taken.