People v. Rothe

Summary

The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court’s dismissal of Joseph Rothe’s section 2‑1401 petition, holding that his conviction for armed robbery with a dangerous weapon does not violate the Constitution’s proportionate penalties clause because the offenses do not contain identical elements. The Court also clarified that the phrase “other dangerous weapon of like character” is limited by ejusdem generis to weapons of the same class, overruling appellate decisions that broadened its scope.