In 2009, I was convicted of felony theft from my employer. I received the maximum sentence (7 years) and served half, which I guess is how Illinois works. I successfully completed parole and have been "out of the system" since January of 2013. I was ordered to begin paying restitution after my release and have the amount paid in full within 5 years. I owe $45,000 and at $50 a month, it will never be paid off, let alone within 5 years.

What happens if I can't pay the full amount within the time frame specified?

The math doesn't add up.

You were sentenced to 7 years in 2009 and served half. Thus (2009 + 3 1/2 = 2012 1/2), you would have been released in 2012 or 2013, with another 3 1/2 years on probation. So how can you have been 'out of the system' since January of 2013"?

It looks to me that you are still on probation. In general, and in many places, if you don't finish your probation by, among other things, paying the restitution, you can be required to finish your sentence. You had best ask the court to reduce the required restitution payments to something you can reasonably accomplish.

Agree and $45,000 in 5 yrs. is $750 per month not counting any interest.

You need to work with the probation or parole officer and talk to them about it

Depending on how the paper work is done, it is just a bill, in others you are on probation and can go to jail

Let me clarify. I was sentenced to 7 years, which Illinois cuts in half. So yes, I should have served 3.5 years. That was reduced a little more thanks to good time and credit for days because of various programs I completed while in prison. I had 2 years of mandatory supervised release, which is also cut in half. That began January 2012 when I was released from prison. It ended January 2013, and from that point on, I have had no contact with IDOC or parole. I don't have to check in, have home visits, etc.

My repayment was scheduled to begin right after my release from IDOC, so January of 2012. That means I have until January of 2017 to pay the restitution in full. Hope this helps.