{ "id": 7328439, "name": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TERRY HAWKINS, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "People v. Hawkins", "decision_date": "2011-04-26", "docket_number": "No. 1\u201409\u20140221", "first_page": "564", "last_page": "574", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "409 Ill. App. 3d 564" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "749 N.E.2d 386", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "391", "parenthetical": "the imposition of consecutive sentences does not constitute an increase in penalty" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "321 Ill. App. 3d 414", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 132359 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "419", "parenthetical": "the imposition of consecutive sentences does not constitute an increase in penalty" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/321/0414-01" ] }, { "cite": "809 N.E.2d 1214", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1222", "parenthetical": "consecutive sentencing determines only the manner in which a defendant will serve his sentences for multiple offenses" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 Ill. 2d 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 8450979 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "14", "parenthetical": "consecutive sentencing determines only the manner in which a defendant will serve his sentences for multiple offenses" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/211/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "759 N.E.2d 83", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "95", "parenthetical": "\"consecutive sentencing does not increase any of defendant's individual sentences for an offense beyond the statutory maximum, but determines the manner in which those sentences will be served\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "325 Ill. App. 3d 624", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 569728 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "638", "parenthetical": "\"consecutive sentencing does not increase any of defendant's individual sentences for an offense beyond the statutory maximum, but determines the manner in which those sentences will be served\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/325/0624-01" ] }, { "cite": "638 N.E.2d 207", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "212" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "263 Ill. App. 3d 1098", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5367340 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1104" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/263/1098-01" ] }, { "cite": "703 N.E.2d 91", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "96-97" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "184 Ill. 2d 159", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 926966 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "166-68" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/184/0159-01" ] }, { "cite": "752 N.E.2d 430", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "438" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "196 Ill. 2d 269", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 351226 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "279" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/196/0269-01" ] }, { "cite": "800 N.E.2d 790", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "792" }, { "page": "793-94" }, { "page": "792" }, { "page": "792" }, { "page": "793-94", "parenthetical": "under the identical elements test, the proportionate penalties clause is violated where offenses with identical elements are given different sentences" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "207 Ill. 2d 478", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 974988 ], "weight": 4, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "482" }, { "page": "485" }, { "page": "483" }, { "page": "483" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/207/0478-01" ] }, { "cite": "794 N.E.2d 353", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 8, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "355" }, { "page": "355" }, { "page": "355" }, { "page": "359" }, { "page": "359" }, { "page": "358", "parenthetical": "offenses that have identical elements but different sentencing ranges violate the proportionate penalties clause" }, { "page": "359", "parenthetical": "two offenses with identical elements carried different sentencing ranges - 21 to 45 years in prison and 15 to 30 years in prison" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "341 Ill. App. 3d 1083", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5574565 ], "weight": 4, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1084" }, { "page": "1088" }, { "page": "1090" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/341/1083-01" ] }, { "cite": "679 N.E.2d 456", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 7, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "456-57" }, { "page": "457" }, { "page": "458" }, { "page": "458", "parenthetical": "sentencing ranges for armed violence and the predicate offenses carried different minimum and maximum sentencing ranges" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "287 Ill. App. 3d 935", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 520956 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "936-37" }, { "page": "938" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/287/0935-01" ] }, { "cite": "564 N.E.2d 770", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 10, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "772" }, { "page": "770" }, { "page": "771" }, { "page": "772" }, { "page": "772" }, { "page": "774" }, { "page": "770", "parenthetical": "one offense at issue was a Class X felony, while a second offense was a Class 1 felony, subject to different minimum and maximum sentencing ranges" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "139 Ill. 2d 172", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5573783 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "177" }, { "page": "173" }, { "page": "173-74" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/139/0172-01" ] }, { "cite": "839 N.E.2d 492", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 8, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "497" }, { "page": "497" }, { "page": "497" }, { "page": "498" }, { "page": "498" }, { "page": "498" }, { "parenthetical": "abandoning a third method- the \"cross-comparison analysis\" - because it had proved to be problematic and unworkable" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "216 Ill. 2d 481", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3828618 ], "weight": 4, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "487" }, { "page": "487" }, { "page": "487" }, { "page": "487" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/216/0481-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 837, "char_count": 27011, "ocr_confidence": 0.779, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.03580807328026e-08, "percentile": 0.18894634397603877 }, "sha256": "d5401cad6d7762113c39cc301d63983075bf18600989b7337c18f9238e150d7c", "simhash": "1:a038758c6d768290", "word_count": 4331 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:25:27.574146+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TERRY HAWKINS, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "PRESIDING JUSTICE CUNNINGHAM\ndelivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.\nJustices Karnezis and Harris concurred in the judgment and opinion.\nOPINION\nFollowing a bench trial in the circuit court of Cook County, the defendant, Terry Hawkins, was convicted of three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and four counts of aggravated kidnapping, and subsequently sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment for each of the three counts of criminal sexual assault, to be served consecutively, for a total of 21 years in prison. The defendant\u2019s sole argument on appeal is that the mandatory consecutive sentences for his aggravated criminal sexual assault convictions violate the proportionate sentencing provision of the Illinois Constitution. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County.\nBACKGROUND\nThe following uncontested evidence was adduced from the defendant\u2019s bench trial.\nOn the evening of September 28, 2007, the victim, 13-year-old Jessica R. (Jessica), surreptitiously and without parental consent left her home on West 65th Street in Chicago, Illinois, to visit a friend. When Jessica discovered that her friend was not at home, she began to walk home through an alley when a car, driven by the defendant, approached her. Jessica described the vehicle as a big, dark-colored car with a rear window missing. The defendant asked her where she was going and offered her a ride. When Jessica declined, the defendant told her to get into the car, at which point Jessica began to run. The defendant, while holding a knife, chased Jessica on foot. He caught Jessica and pulled her into his vehicle. The defendant drove to a liquor store, where he left Jessica in the car after warning her that \u201csome guys [were] keeping a watch on [her]\u201d and would harm her if she tried to escape. After the detour to the liquor store, the defendant drove Jessica to a first-floor apartment in a two-story building. There, the defendant forced Jessica to drink beers, smoke a cigarette, which she believed to have been laced with cocaine, and then forced her to perform various sexual acts with him. Subsequently, when the defendant was distracted by a knock at the door, Jessica escaped through a living room window, injuring her face and ribs. Jessica then ran to a nearby house where she hid on the front porch until the resident of that home, Erica Mascio (Erica), returned home. Erica did not know Jessica, but recognized that she was in distress after hearing Jessica\u2019s account of what had occurred. Erica then took Jessica to the police station to report the crime and accompanied her to the hospital for treatment.\nIn a police photographic array prepared by Detective Matthews several days later, on October 3, 2007, Jessica identified the defendant as the offender. In a police physical lineup following the defendant\u2019s arrest on October 13, 2007, Jessica positively identified the defendant as her attacker. Further, forensics testing revealed that swab samples taken from Jessica with a sexual assault kit at the hospital after the attack matched the DNA profile of the defendant.\nThe defendant was then charged with 24 counts of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated kidnapping. Following closing arguments at the bench trial, the trial court found the defendant guilty of three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and four counts of aggravated kidnapping. Subsequently, the trial court denied the defendant\u2019s motion for a new trial.\nOn December 18, 2008, the trial court sentenced the defendant to 7 years in prison for each of the three counts of his aggravated criminal sexual assault convictions, to be served consecutively, for a total of 21 years in prison. No sentences were imposed for the four counts of aggravated kidnapping because the trial court found that those counts merged with the aggravated criminal sexual assault counts. Subsequently, the trial court denied the defendant\u2019s motion to reconsider the sentence. On January 16, 2009, a timely notice of appeal was filed before this court.\nANALYSIS\nThe sole issue before this court is whether the mandatory consecutive sentences for his aggravated criminal sexual assault convictions violate the proportionate sentencing provision of the Illinois Constitution. The constitutionality of a statute is purely a matter of law, which we review de novo. People v. Sharpe, 216 Ill. 2d 481, 487, 839 N.E.2d 492, 497 (2005).\nThe defendant argues that the mandatory consecutive sentences for his aggravated criminal sexual assault convictions, for which he received 21 years of imprisonment, violated the proportionate sentencing provisions of the Illinois Constitution because the offense of aggravated kidnapping, which required proof of identical elements as the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault, does not mandate consecutive sentences. As a result, the defendant maintains, the penalty for the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault is unconstitutional because it provides for \u201cgreater minimum sentences than would be imposed for aggravated kidnapping, while requiring proof of identical elements.\u201d Specifically, the defendant contends that the elements of aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping are identical because the acts of criminal sexual assault became \u201caggravated\u201d when they occurred during the commission of aggravated kidnapping. He also argues that the conduct of kidnapping Jessica was elevated to \u201caggravated kidnapping\u201d because it was predicated on his criminal sexual assault upon Jessica. In support of his arguments, the defendant cites People v. Christy, 139 Ill. 2d 172, 564 N.E.2d 770 (1990), People v. Beard, 287 Ill. App. 3d 935, 679 N.E.2d 456 (1997), and People v. Baker, 341 Ill. App. 3d 1083, 794 N.E.2d 353 (2003).\nThe State counters that the crimes of aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping are \u201ctwo wholly distinguishable crimes requiring proof of different elements,\u201d and thus, the statutory requirement of mandatory consecutive sentences for aggravated criminal sexual assault convictions is not unconstitutional. The State argues that the defendant attempts to shift the court\u2019s attention to one element \u2014 the aggravating factor \u2014 and \u201curges this [cjourt to ignore the other elements of the offenses which are truly divergent.\u201d The State further maintains that even if the offenses contained identical elements, the statutes at issue here are subject to the same exact sentencing range \u2014 namely, Class X felonies for which a convict may be sentenced between 6 to 30 years in prison \u2014 and thus, do not violate the proportionate penalties clause. Rather, the State argues that mandatory consecutive sentencing only affects the manner by which the sentence is carried out and not the punishment itself. Moreover, the State maintains that \u201cmandatory consecutive sentencing for multiple convictions of aggravated criminal sexual assault has been upheld numerous times and for a variety of reasons by this [cjourt and other courts in the state.\u201d\nStatutes carry a strong presumption of constitutionality. Sharpe, 216 Ill. 2d at 487, 839 N.E.2d at 497. \u201cTo overcome this presumption, the party challenging the statute must clearly establish that it violates the constitution.\u201d Id. A reviewing court has \u201ca duty to construe a statute in a manner that upholds its validity and constitutionality if it reasonably can he done.\u201d People v. Graves, 207 Ill. 2d 478, 482, 800 N.E.2d 790, 792 (2003). Generally, courts \u201cdefer to the legislature in the sentencing arena because the legislature is institutionally better equipped to gauge the seriousness of various offenses and to fashion sentences accordingly.\u201d Sharpe, 216 Ill. 2d at 487, 839 N.E.2d at 497. A party may challenge the constitutionality of a statute at any time. People v. Wagener, 196 Ill. 2d 269, 279, 752 N.E.2d 430, 438 (2001).\nArticle I, section 11, of the Illinois Constitution states in relevant part the following regarding penalties after conviction: \u201c[ajll penalties shall be determined both according to the seriousness of the offense and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful citizenship.\u201d Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, \u00a711. This provision, known as the proportionate penalties clause, mandates that penalties be proportionate to the offenses committed. Christy, 139 Ill. 2d at 177, 564 N.E.2d at 772. A \u201cproportionality challenge\u201d derives from article I, section 11, of the Illinois Constitution and \u201ccontends that the penalty in question was not determined according to the seriousness of the offense.\u201d Sharpe, 216 Ill. 2d at 487, 839 N.E.2d at 498. Our supreme court has recognized two distinct ways by which a \u201cproportionality challenge\u201d may be asserted. Id. at 488, 839 N.E.2d at 498. First, a penalty violates the proportionate penalties clause \u201cif it is cruel, degrading, or so wholly disproportionate to the offense committed as to shock the moral sense of the community.\u201d Id. at 487, 839 N.E.2d at 498. Second, the proportionate penalties clause is violated \u201cwhere offenses with identical elements are given different sentences\u201d (identical elements test). (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Id. (abandoning a third method\u2014 the \u201ccross-comparison analysis\u201d \u2014 because it had proved to be problematic and unworkable); Graves, 207 Ill. 2d at 485, 800 N.E.2d at 793-94. The defendant does not contend that the penalty for his aggravated criminal sexual assault conviction was \u201ccruel, degrading, or so wholly disproportionate to the offense committed as to shock the moral sense of the community.\u201d Rather, he contends only that, under the identical elements test, the proportionate penalties clause was violated because the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault and the offense of aggravated kidnapping have identical elements but have different sentences.\nUnder the identical elements test, \u201cthe elements of the respective offenses must be identical before the proportionate penalties clause will be implicated.\u201d (Emphasis in original.) Graves, 207 Ill. 2d at 483, 800 N.E.2d at 792.\nSection 12 \u2014 13(a)(1) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Code) states that a person commits criminal sexual assault if he \u201ccommits an act of sexual penetration by the use of force or threat of force.\u201d 720 ILCS 5/12\u201413(a)(1) (West 2006). Section 12 \u2014 14(a)(4) of the Code states that a person commits aggravated criminal sexual assault if he \u201ccommits criminal sexual assault\u201d and the offense was \u201cperpetrated during the course of the commission or attempted commission of any other felony by the accused.\u201d 720 ILCS 5/12\u201414(a)(4) (West 2008). A kidnapping occurs \u201cwhen a person knowingly: (1) [a]nd secretly confines another against his will, or (2) [b]y force or threat of imminent force carries another from one place to another with intent secretly to confine him against his will.\u201d 720 ILCS 5/10\u20141(a)(1), (a)(2) (West 2008). An offense of kidnapping becomes aggravated kidnapping when the accused commits kidnapping under section 10 \u2014 1(a) of the Code and \u201c[i]nflicts great bodily harm, other than by the discharge of a firearm, or commits another felony upon his victim.\u201d 720 ILCS 5/10\u20142(a)(3) (West 2008). Aggravated kidnapping also occurs when the kidnapper \u201c[cjommits the offense of kidnap[pjing while armed with a dangerous weapon, other than a firearm, as defined in [sjection 33A \u2014 1 of the [Code].\u201d 720 ILCS 5/10\u20142(a)(5) (West 2008).\nIn the case at bar, the defendant was convicted of both aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping, both of which are Class X felonies subject to a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years of imprisonment. See 730 ILCS 5/5\u20148\u20141(a)(3) (West 2008). We first determine whether the elements that must be proved for each respective offense are identical, thus implicating the proportionate penalties clause. We will then decide whether the penalties for these offenses are unconstitutionally disproportionate.\nIn Christy, the defendant was convicted of both armed violence predicated on kidnapping with a weapon, a Class X felony, and one count of kidnapping, a Class 2 felony. Christy, 139 Ill. 2d at 173, 564 N.E.2d at 770. The defendant was sentenced to concurrent extended-term sentences of 60 years in prison for armed violence and 14 years in prison for kidnapping. Id. at 174, 564 N.E.2d at 771. Armed violence is defined as the commission of any felony while armed with a dangerous weapon. Id. at 177, 564 N.E.2d at 772. On appeal to our supreme court, the defendant argued that the penalties for aggravated kidnapping and armed violence were constitutionally disproportionate because each offense required the same elements, yet the penalty for armed violence was more severe. Id. at 178, 564 N.E.2d at 772. The Christy court agreed and observed that the commission of kidnapping while armed with a knife with a blade of at least three inches in length \u201cconstitutes both aggravated kidnapping and armed violence,\u201d because the elements for each of the offenses were identical. (Emphasis in original.) Id. at 181, 564 N.E.2d at 774. Our supreme court further noted that, nevertheless, aggravated kidnapping was a Class 1 felony at that time, while armed violence was a Class X felony with a more severe minimum and maximum sentencing range. Id. Thus, the Christy court held, the penalties for aggravated kidnapping and armed violence were unconstitutionally disproportionate. Id.\nIn Beard, the defendant was convicted of aggravated vehicular hijacking, armed violence predicated on vehicular hijacking, armed robbery and armed violence predicated on robbery, and sentenced to concurrent 15-year terms on all four counts. Beard, 287 Ill. App. 3d at 936-37, 679 N.E.2d at 456-57. On appeal, the defendant argued that the sentences for armed violence were unconstitutionally disproportionate. Id. at 937, 679 N.E.2d at 457. The reviewing court found that the elements of aggravated vehicular hijacking were identical to those of armed violence predicated on aggravated vehicular hijacking, yet the penalties for each offense \u2014 minimum of 7 years in prison for aggravated vehicular hijacking and a minimum of 15 years of prison for armed violence predicated on aggravated vehicular hijacking \u2014 were different. Id. at 938, 679 N.E.2d at 458. Similarly, the Beard court found that the elements of armed robbery were identical to the elements of armed violence predicated on robbery, yet the penalties for each offense \u2014 6 years in prison and 15 years in prison, respectively\u2014 were disproportionate. Id. The Beard court then held that \u201cthe disparities in the penalties for armed violence predicated on both *** robbery and vehicular hijacking with a [sawed off] weapon [were] unconstitutionally disproportionate.\u201d Id.\nLikewise, in Baker, the defendant was convicted of armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and aggravated kidnapping \u2014 which he had committed while armed with a firearm. Baker, 341 Ill. App. 3d at 1084, 794 N.E.2d at 355. The defendant was sentenced to 40 years in prison for aggravated kidnapping, which included a 15-year enhancement for being armed with a firearm, 30 years for armed violence and 5 years for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Id. at 1084-85, 794 N.E.2d at 355. On appeal, the defendant argued that the 15-year enhancement for aggravated kidnapping violated the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution. Id. at 1085, 794 N.E.2d at 355. The reviewing court agreed, finding that, like Christy, \u201cthe commission of the offense of kidnap[p]ing while armed with a firearm, such as a handgun, constitutes both aggravated kidnap[p]ing and armed violence.\u201d Id. at 1089, 794 N.E.2d at 359. Because aggravated kidnapping was a Class X felony punishable by 21 to 45 years in prison, including the 15-year sentence enhancement, while armed violence was a Class X felony punishable by only 15 to 30 years in prison, the reviewing court held that the 15-year enhancement for aggravated kidnapping violated the proportionate penalties clause. Id. at 1090, 794 N.E.2d at 359.\nIn the instant case, the defendant was convicted of three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault (counts IX IX and XIV of the indictment), and four counts of aggravated kidnapping (counts XVT, XVII, XVIII and XIX of the indictment). Counts IX IX and XIV charged that under section 12 \u2014 14(a)(4) of the Code, the defendant \u201cintentionally or knowingly committed an act of sexual penetration upon [Jessica], *** by the use of force or threat of force, and the criminal sexual assault was perpetrated during the course of the commission of any other felony, to wit: aggravated kidnap[p]ing.\u201d Thus, under each of these counts, the State was required to prove the elements of (1) sexual penetration; (2) use of force or threat of force; and (3) aggravated kidnapping.\nCounts XVI to XIX charged the defendant with aggravated kidnapping, which we shall address in turn. Count XVI charged that, under section 10 \u2014 2(a)(3) of the Code, the defendant \u201cknowingly and secretly confined Jessica *** against her will, and he committed another felony upon Jessica ***, to wit: criminal sexual assault.\u201d Likewise, count XVIII charged that, also under section 10 \u2014 2(a)(3) of the Code, the defendant \u201cknowingly by force or threat of imminent force carried Jessica *** from one place to another with intent secretly to confine her against her will, and he committed another felony upon Jessica ***, to wit: criminal sexual assault.\u201d Thus, under counts XVI and XVIII, the State was required to prove the elements of (1) confinement of Jessica against her will, or the carrying of Jessica by force or threat of imminent force with intent to confine her; and (2) criminal sexual assault. Comparing the elements of counts IX IX and XTV with the elements of counts XVI and XVIII, we find that the elements of aggravated criminal sexual assault (counts IX IX, XIV) are not identical to the elements needed by the State to prove aggravated kidnapping under counts XVI and XVIII. Specifically, to prove the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault (counts IX IX and XIV), the State needed to prove: (1) sexual penetration; (2) use of force or threat of force; and (3) aggravated kidnapping \u2014 which, essentially, are the elements used to prove counts XVI and XVIII (confinement of Jessica against her will, or the carrying of Jessica by force or threat of imminent force with intent to confine her, plus the commission of a felony upon Jessica \u2014 criminal sexual assault). However, to prove the offense of aggravated kidnapping under counts XVI and XVIII, the State only needed to prove the elements of kidnapping plus the commission of criminal sexual assault (sexual penetration and use of force or threat of force), but not aggravated criminal sexual assault. The lack of a need to prove an aggravating factor for criminal sexual assault under counts XVI and XVIII created differences between the elements of the two offenses in this case.\nThese differences are even more glaring when we examine the elements of aggravated kidnapping under counts XVII and XIX, and compare them to the elements of aggravated criminal sexual assault under counts IX IX and XIX Count XVII charged that, under section 10 \u2014 2(a)(5) of the Code, the defendant \u201cknowingly and secretly confined Jessica *** against her will, and he committed the offense of kidnap[p]ing while armed with a dangerous weapon, other than a firearm, to wit: a knife.\u201d Count XIX charged that, also under section 10 \u2014 2(a)(5) of the Code, the defendant \u201cknowingly by force or threat of imminent force carried Jessica *** from one place to another with intent secretly to confine her against her will, and he committed the offense of kidnap[p]ing while armed with a dangerous weapon, other than a firearm, to wit: a knife.\u201d Thus, under counts XVII and XIX, the State was required to prove the elements of (1) confinement of Jessica against her will, or the carrying of Jessica by force or threat of imminent force with intent to confine her; and (2) the presence of a knife. We find that the elements of aggravated kidnapping under counts XVII and XIX are not identical to the elements of aggravated criminal sexual assault under counts IV IX and XIV Specifically, to prove the offense of aggravated kidnapping under counts XVII and XIX, the State needed to prove the elements of kidnapping plus the presence of a knife, but not any of the elements for aggravated criminal sexual assault. Thus, we find that the elements of these two offenses are not identical, and the defendant\u2019s argument that these two offenses have identical elements must fail. See People v. Koppa, 184 Ill. 2d 159, 166-68, 703 N.E.2d 91, 96-97 (1998) (finding that the charge of armed violence predicated on aggravated criminal sexual abuse and the two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse did not share identical elements because the armed violence offense required proof of an additional element of \u201cbodily harm to the victim.\u201d Likewise, armed violence based on the predicate felony of aggravated kidnapping and the offense of aggravated kidnapping against the defendant were not identical because the armed violence charge required the additional element of \u201cconcealment of identity.\u201d). Therefore, because the elements for aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping are not identical, the proportionate penalties clause was not implicated to afford the defendant the relief sought. See Graves, 207 Ill. 2d at 483, 800 N.E.2d at 792.\nEven if the elements of aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping were identical, the defendant would still not be entitled to relief because he cannot show that the identical offenses were given different sentences. See id. at 485, 800 N.E.2d at 793-94 (under the identical elements test, the proportionate penalties clause is violated where offenses with identical elements are given different sentences); Baker, 341 Ill. App. 3d at 1088, 794 N.E.2d at 358 (offenses that have identical elements but different sentencing ranges violate the proportionate penalties clause).\nIn the case at bar, the defendant was sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment for each of the three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, to be served consecutively, for a total of 21 years in prison. As noted, the defendant was not sentenced for his convictions of aggravated kidnapping because the trial court found that those counts merged with the aggravated criminal sexual assault counts.\nThe defendant maintains that the mandatory consecutive sentences for his aggravated criminal sexual assault convictions violated the proportionate penalties clause because the offense of aggravated kidnapping does not mandate the imposition of consecutive sentences, even though, he argues, the offenses contain identical elements. He contends that, consequently, the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault provides for greater minimum sentences \u201cthan would be imposed for aggravated kidnapping.\u201d\nWe find the defendant\u2019s argument to be without merit. First, we note that section 5 \u2014 8\u20144(a) (ii) of the Unified Code of Corrections states that \u201cthe court shall impose consecutive sentences\u201d if the defendant was convicted of a violation of section 12 \u2014 13 or 12 \u2014 14 of the Code. 730 ILCS 5/5\u20148\u20144(a)(ii) (West 2008). \u201c[I]t is the province of the legislature to define offenses and determine the penalties required to protect society\u2019s interests.\u201d People v. Williams, 263 Ill. App. 3d 1098, 1104, 638 N.E.2d 207, 212 (1994). The legislature, and not the courts, is in the best position \u201cto investigate and ascertain the evils confronting society and gauge their seriousness.\u201d Id.\nSecond, we find that unlike Christy, Beard and Baker, in which the penalties for offenses with identical elements had different sentencing ranges and were found to be unconstitutionally disproportionate, the two offenses at issue in the instant case \u2014 aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping \u2014 have the same exact sentencing range. See Christy, 139 Ill. 2d at 173-74, 564 N.E.2d at 770 (one offense at issue was a Class X felony, while a second offense was a Class 1 felony, subject to different minimum and maximum sentencing ranges); Beard, 287 Ill. App. 3d at 938, 679 N.E.2d at 458 (sentencing ranges for armed violence and the predicate offenses carried different minimum and maximum sentencing ranges); Baker, 341 Ill. App. 3d at 1090, 794 N.E.2d at 359 (two offenses with identical elements carried different sentencing ranges \u2014 21 to 45 years in prison and 15 to 30 years in prison). In this case, both offenses are classified as Class X felonies subject to a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years of imprisonment. See 720 ILCS 5/10\u20142(b), 12\u201414(d)(1) (West 2008); 730 ILCS 5/5\u20148\u20141(a)(3) (West 2008). Rather, as the State points out, the mandatory consecutive sentencing structure for the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault affects only the manner by which the sentence is carried out, and not the punishment itself. See People v. Anderson, 325 Ill. App. 3d 624, 638, 759 N.E.2d 83, 95 (2001) (\u201cconsecutive sentencing does not increase any of defendant\u2019s individual sentences for an offense beyond the statutory maximum, but determines the manner in which those sentences will be served\u201d); see also People v. Phelps, 211 Ill. 2d 1, 14, 809 N.E.2d 1214, 1222 (2004) (consecutive sentencing determines only the manner in which a defendant will serve his sentences for multiple offenses); People v. Avery, 321 Ill. App. 3d 414, 419, 749 N.E.2d 386, 391 (2001) (the imposition of consecutive sentences does not constitute an increase in penalty).\nIn the instant case, the defendant was sentenced to seven years in prison for each of the three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault for which he was convicted. The 7-year sentence for each count fell within the statutory sentencing range of 6 to 30 years, and the imposition of his 7-year sentences as a consecutive sentence affected only the manner by which the sentence is carried out and did not constitute an increase in penalty. See 730 ILCS 5/5\u20148\u20141(a)(3) (West 2008). For the reasons discussed, we hold that the two offenses at issue did not require identical elements of proof and the sentencing ranges for the offenses do not implicate the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution.\nFor the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County.\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "PRESIDING JUSTICE CUNNINGHAM" } ], "attorneys": [ "Piet, Schneider & Associates, Ltd., of Chicago (Charles K. Piet, of counsel), for appellant.", "Anita M. Alvarez, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (Alan J. Spellberg, Annette Collins, Tasha-Marie Kelly, and Charles J. Prochaska, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TERRY HAWKINS, Defendant-Appellant.\nFirst District (2nd Division)\nNo. 1\u201409\u20140221\nOpinion filed April 26, 2011.\nPiet, Schneider & Associates, Ltd., of Chicago (Charles K. Piet, of counsel), for appellant.\nAnita M. Alvarez, State\u2019s Attorney, of Chicago (Alan J. Spellberg, Annette Collins, Tasha-Marie Kelly, and Charles J. Prochaska, Assistant State\u2019s Attorneys, of counsel), for the People." }, "file_name": "0564-01", "first_page_order": 580, "last_page_order": 590 }