Criminal Justice

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that the testimony of a victim who is a child under 13 years of age shall testify outside the courtroom and the child's testimony shall be shown in the courtroom by means of a 2-way closed circuit television (rather than closed circuit television). Provides that before the court permits the testimony of a victim outside the courtroom that is to be shown in the courtroom by means of a closed circuit television, the court must make a finding that the testimony by means of a 2-way closed circuit television (rather than closed circuit television) does not prejudice the defendant.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Defines a "basic training candidate" to mean a person enrolled in basic training school who is not a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer. Requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to select and certify schools within the State of Illinois for the purpose of providing basic training for basic training candidates and to create curriculum and minimum basic training requirements for basic training candidates.

Creates the Equitable Access to Education, Employment, and Training for Incarcerated Individuals with Disabilities Act. Provides that reasonable accommodations for incarcerated individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability shall include a waiver of any requirement that the individual take the Test of Adult Basic Education and receive a passing score, or take and receive a passing score on any other examination or test that the Department may require to determine academic achievement or access to educational programs, work assignments, and vocational programs. Provides that participation in these programs through the Test of Adult Basic Education waiver and other reasonable accommodations shall qualify individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability to earn earned sentence credit, consistent with opportunities provided to other incarcerated individuals. Provides that Department of Corrections staff, including educational personnel, shall receive annual training on: (1) identifying individuals who have an intellectual disability or a developmental disability; (2) providing accommodations and supports to an individual with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability in educational, employment. and vocational settings; and (3) administering appropriate alternative assessments. Provides that staff training programs shall be developed in collaboration with disability advocacy organizations and educational institutions. Provides that the Department shall ensure compliance with federal disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act of 1973, through the implementation of the Act. Provides that individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability who are denied access to programs or accommodations under the Act may file a grievance through the Department's established grievance procedures. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who is justified in the use of force, including deadly force, does not have a duty to retreat. Provides that a person who is justified in the use of force, including the use of force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm, is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of force justified under these provisions (rather than have an affirmative defense to a criminal prosecution). Defines "criminal prosecution" to include charging or prosecuting the defendant.

Creates the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act of 2025. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall establish and maintain a case tracking system and searchable public website that includes information about property seized and forfeited under State law and under any agreement with the federal government. Provides that it shall assign the responsibility to report each element to relevant agencies. Provides that the Authority shall also establish and maintain a searchable public website that includes the total amount of funds expended, in specified categories, which resulted from property seized, forfeited, and reported and the total value of seized and forfeited property held by the agency at the end of the reporting period. Provides that the Authority shall not require or disclose: (1) the names, addresses, contact information, or other personally identifying information of owners, other persons, or business entities or (2) the street addresses, vehicle identification number, or serial number of any conveyance. Provides that agencies that fully comply with reporting requirements within the designated timeframe shall be eligible for State recognition and additional funding opportunities through the Authority. Provides that the Authority shall make no disbursement of forfeiture proceeds to an agency or department unless the agency or department meets its reporting obligation. Provides that the Act is effective for the reporting period starting January 1, 2027. Creates the Criminal Forfeiture Process Act. Provides that the Act applies to the seizure and forfeiture of property used in and derived directly from specified crimes. Provides that for property to be forfeited before conviction, the State must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the property is directly linked to the criminal offense, and that immediate seizure is necessary to prevent its loss, destruction, or further use in criminal activity. Repeals the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act, the Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act, and the Forfeiture Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that unreliable statements to law enforcement made during a custodial interrogation conducted at a police station or other place of detention by a defendant are inadmissible at trial in any criminal court proceeding or juvenile court proceeding for the prosecution of a homicide. Provides that in any proceeding under this provision, the prosecution shall timely disclose prior to any relevant evidentiary hearing or trial its intent to introduce a statement made during a custodial interrogation conducted at a place of detention. Provides that at that time, the prosecution must tender any electronic recordings of the statement and any documents relating to the circumstances under which the statement was obtained and any other evidence the State intends to rely upon to determine the statement's reliability. Provides that before trial, a defendant may move to exclude a statement alleged to be unreliable. Provides that the defendant shall specifically identify the statement or statements alleged to be unreliable. Provides that at the hearing, it shall be the burden of the prosecutor to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the statement is reliable. Provides that when deciding a statement's reliability, a court should consider: (1) whether the details in the statement fit with the evidence known before the interrogation, especially details that describe unusual or not easily guessed facts of the crime that had not been made public; (2) whether the statement provides any new details or any new evidence not known before the interrogation that can be independently corroborated after the interrogation; (3) whether facts of the crime were disclosed to the defendant rather than originated with the defendant; (4) whether the defendant recanted the defendant's statement at any time and the circumstances of that recantation; (5) whether the statement was electronically recorded; and (6) any other information relevant to the reliability of the statement.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, a person convicted of a felony, or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution, shall have his or her right to vote restored and shall be eligible to vote not later than 14 days following his or her conviction. Provides that a person who is serving a sentence in a correctional institution starting prior to January 1, 2026 shall have his or her right to vote restored not later than January 14, 2026. Provides that a person may not be denied the right to vote because of a past criminal conviction. Provides that each local election authority shall coordinate with the correctional institution, Illinois Department of Corrections, and other correctional agencies incarcerating eligible voters to facilitate voting by mail for those voters eligible to vote in that election jurisdiction who are incarcerated in the correctional institution. Provides that the Attorney General, any individual aggrieved by a violation of these provisions, any entity whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by a violation of these provisions, any entity whose mission would be frustrated by a violation of these provisions, or any entity that would expend resources in order to fulfill its mission as a result of a violation of these provisions may file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that the Act is intended to benefit and protect the rights of individual voters and to provide a remedy for infringing on the rights granted under this Act. Amends the Re-Entering Citizens Civics Education Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Reintegration and Civic Empowerment Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall conduct the civics peer education program each of the 3 sessions not less than twice a month at each correctional institution totaling not less than 6 sessions per month at each correctional institution. Provides that the civics peer education program and workshops must be made available to all committed persons regardless of the date they were first committed or the length of their sentence. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Creates the Emerging Adult Sentencing Act. Provides that upon a conviction by way of plea or otherwise finding of guilt, and with the express agreement of the State's Attorney and the defendant, the court may sentence a person who meets the eligibility requirements under the Act to a term of probation to be performed at a community-based residential workforce development center for a period of not less than one year and not more than 3 years in lieu of incarceration in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Provides that the defendant shall be monitored by the adult probation department. Provides that the defendant shall: (1) not violate any criminal statute of the State or any other jurisdiction; (2) refrain from possessing a firearm or any other dangerous weapon; and (3) attend and participate in any program activities as detailed in the individualized service plan. Provides that a defendant is eligible for the program if the person is between the ages 18 through 25, at the time of the commission of the offense, and is convicted of specified felony offenses in which a period of incarceration must be imposed, other than a sentence of natural life. Provides that prior criminal history shall not preclude eligibility for sentencing under the Act. Provides that upon successful fulfillment of the terms and conditions of probation, the court shall discharge the person from probation. Provides that if the person has not previously been granted a vacation of judgment, upon motion, the court shall vacate the judgment of conviction and dismiss the criminal proceedings against him or her unless, having considered the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history, character and condition of the individual, the court finds that the motion should not be granted. Effective immediately.

Amends the County Department of Corrections Division of the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act. Provides that, upon the release of a prisoner or committed person from a county correctional institution, county jail, or Department of Corrections correctional institution or facility, the sheriff, warden, or Department shall provide the prisoner or committed person with an opioid antagonist if the prisoner was incarcerated for drug-related charges or was identified as having a substance abuse disorder.

Amends the Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality shall reimburse law enforcement agencies for public safety services provided by the law enforcement agency if the law enforcement agency does not have jurisdiction over the municipality.