People v. Salgado

On February 2, 1996, defendant pleaded guilty to first degree murder. The circuit court sentenced him to 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Defendant did not file a motion seeking to vacate his guilty plea, a motion to reconsider his sentence, or a direct appeal from his conviction.

On September 15, 1998, defendant filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief in which he argued that his 40-year sentence was excessive. The circuit court, in a written order, summarily dismissed defendant’s petition. The court, citing People v. Ballinger, 53 Ill. 2d 388, 390, 292 N.E.2d 400…