SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 22 -- The Illinois Courts Office issued the following opinion on March 22:

1. Held: We affirm the judgment of the circuit court denying defendant's motion for leave to file a successive postconviction petition where defendant cannot show cause for failing to raise his proportionate penalties sentencing challenge in his initial postconviction petition. 2. Defendant Irineo Barbosa appeals from the denial of his motion for leave to file a successive petition for relief under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq. (West 2020)). On appeal, defendant contends that his motion satisfied the cause and prejudice test for filing a successive postconviction petition because it presented new, previously...