Larry Hoover, one of Chicago’s most notorious gang leaders, has formally requested clemency from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, following a federal pardon granted by former President Donald Trump earlier this year. Hoover’s plea marks the latest development in a decades-long saga involving one of the city’s most infamous criminal figures, whose life has been defined by gang leadership, lengthy imprisonment, and a surprising degree of influence that extends far beyond prison walls.
Hoover rose to prominence as a founding leader of the Gangster Disciples, a Chicago street gang that grew into a sprawling criminal enterprise responsible for significant drug trafficking and violence throughout the city and beyond. In 1973, Hoover was convicted of murder in Illinois state court after prosecutors accused him of orchestrating the killing of a rival gang member. He received a sentence of 150 to 200 years in prison, effectively a life sentence. However, Hoover’s criminal activities did not cease with his incarceration. Federal authorities later charged him with running a vast criminal network from inside prison, overseeing drug operations and expanding the gang’s reach to more than two dozen states across the country. In 1997, a federal jury found Hoover guilty of multiple offenses, including operating a continuing criminal enterprise, resulting in six life sentences.
Despite his extensive criminal record, Hoover has maintained a complex and controversial legacy. During the 1990s, he launched a clothing line called “Ghetto Prisoner,” which aimed to raise awareness and foster unity among marginalized communities. Hoover also established a political action committee that galvanized supporters to advocate for social justice and prison reform, organizing protests and raising awareness about the conditions faced by incarcerated individuals. His story and persona have also permeated popular culture, inspiring numerous rap artists such as Rick Ross, Kanye West (now known as Ye), and Drake. These artists have publicly championed Hoover’s cause, with West notably lobbying President Trump for Hoover’s release during a 2018 Oval Office meeting. In 2021, a “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert headlined by Ye and Drake further highlighted the ongoing support for Hoover’s clemency.
In May 2023, President Trump commuted Hoover’s federal sentence, resulting in Hoover’s transfer from a high-security federal supermax prison in Colorado to a nearby state facility where he continues to serve his Illinois state sentence. Following this federal pardon, Hoover’s legal team submitted a clemency request to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, seeking a hearing to consider whether the governor should grant clemency on the state charges. The board, which reviews such petitions and makes recommendations to the governor, is now tasked with evaluating Hoover’s request.
Hoover’s attorneys argue that he has changed significantly over the decades and no longer poses a threat to society. They highlight his age—74 years old—and declining health, noting that Hoover has suffered three heart attacks while performing hard labor in the Colorado state prison. The clemency petition includes a letter from Hoover himself, in which he expresses remorse for his past actions, acknowledges the harm caused by his criminal behavior, and asserts his commitment to a lawful life. “I was lost in an enduring pattern of criminality those many years ago,” Hoover wrote. “I am no longer the person I was when I entered prison after spending 25 years in a front row seat to the passing by of the World.” He further disavowed all ties to criminal organizations, including the Gangster Disciples, and stressed his desire to reunite with his family and grandchildren.
Hoover’s letter candidly addresses skepticism about his transformation, acknowledging that some may doubt his capacity for redemption. He wrote, “There is zero chance I would re-offend. I know there are some that will probably remain unconvinced and choose to believe I’m beyond redemption. I hope to prove them wrong, or at a minimum, to allay their concerns eventually.” His attorneys and supporters are hopeful that this demonstration of remorse and the circumstances of his advanced age and health will persuade the Prisoner Review Board to recommend clemency, which Governor Pritzker would then have the authority to grant.
Governor Pritzker has not publicly announced a decision on Hoover’s clemency request. The governor met with members of Hoover’s family in Springfield in May, where they discussed the clemency process. Following that meeting, Pritzker indicated that he would carefully review the entire record before making any decision. A spokesperson for the governor directed questions to the Prisoner Review