People v. Craig

── People v. Craig ── Court: Appellate Court of Illinois Date: April 17, 2026 Category: General NOTICE 2026 IL App (4th) 250658-U This Order was filed under FILED Supreme Court Rule 23 and is NO. 4-25-0658 April 17, 2026 not precedent except in the Carla Bender limited circumstances allowed 4th District Appellate under Rule 23(e)(1). IN THE APPELLATE COURT Court, IL OF ILLINOIS FOURTH DISTRICT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Circuit Court of v. ) Sangamon County ANTWIONE E. CRAIG, ) No. 19CF517 Defendant-Appellant. ) ) Honorable ) Jack D. Davis II, ) Judge Presiding. JUSTICE HARRIS delivered the judgment of the court. Justices DeArmond and Vancil concurred in the judgment. ORDER ¶1 Held: (1) Defendant failed to establish that the trial court committed reversible error by considering an improper sentencing factor. (2) The trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing defendant to 12 years in prison. ¶2 Defendant, Antwione E. Craig, pleaded guilty to driving while his driver’s license was revoked (DWLR) (625 ILCS 5/6-303(a), (d-5) (West 2018)), as a Class 2 felony, and was sentenced to 36 months’ probation. His probation was later revoked and he was resentenced to 12 years in prison. Defendant appeals, arguing (1) the trial court relied on an improper consideration at his resentencing and (2) his 12-year prison sentence was excessive and manifestly disproportionate to the nature of the offense. We affirm. ¶3 I. BACKGROUND ¶4 In August 2019, the State charged defendant with DWLR (id.), a Class 2 felony. The charge was based on allegations that on or about March 30, 2019, defendant drove a motor vehicle at a time when (1) his driving privileges were revoked for driving under the influence (DUI) pursuant to section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (id. § 11-501) or a statutory summary suspension or revocation under section 11-501.1 of the Vehicle Code (id. § 11-501.1) and (2) he had previously committed the same violation “on 16 or more prior occasions.” ¶5 In June 2023, defendant pleaded guilty to the charged offense. In exchange for his plea, he received a sentence of 36 months’ probation and the dismissal of other pending charges against him. But see id. § 6-303(d-5) (providing that the charged offense was “not eligible for probation or conditional discharge”). Conditions of his probation included that he complete a drug and alcohol evaluation and any recommended treatment, complete anger management counseling, continue with mental health treatment, and refrain from driving without a valid driver’s license. During defendant’s plea hearing, the State presented a factual basis, asserting its evidence would show that on March 30, 2019, a police officer with the City of Springfield conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by defendant and that the underlying offense was defendant’s “21st conviction for [DWLR].” ¶6 In July 2024, the State filed an amended petition to revoke defendant’s probation. I