summary
Introduced
01/23/2025
01/23/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the Department of Corrections Independent Ombudsperson Law. Provides that the Corrections Oversight Committee shall appoint the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall serve a term of 6 years and may be only removed from office by the Governor for cause. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall not be a current or former employee of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or a contractor for those departments. Establishes the duties of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall: (1) monitor and inspect facilities of the Department of Corrections; (2) investigate unresolved complaints from committed persons, their families, and corrections staff regarding correctional facility conditions and treatment of committed persons; (3) create a uniform reporting system and collect and analyze data related to deaths, suicides, sexual and physical assaults, lockdowns, staff vacancies and committed persons-to-staff ratios, visits to committed persons, and use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities; (4) conduct regular inspections of correctional facilities at least once every year for facilities not meeting standards, and at least once every 36 months for facilities that are meeting standards; and (5) publicly issue periodic facility inspection reports and an annual report with recommendations and a summary of data. Establishes other duties of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall report regularly on its activities, investigations, and inspections, including an annual report, which shall be presented to and discussed at a meeting of the Corrections Oversight Committee and make other reports on topics of special interest. Provides that all reports of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall be made available to the public online and provided to the Director of Corrections, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Effective July 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill creates an Independent Corrections Ombudsperson to increase transparency and accountability in the state corrections system. The Ombudsperson will be appointed by the Corrections Oversight Committee for a 6-year term and can only be removed by the Governor for cause, with the critical requirement that they cannot be a current or former employee of the Department of Corrections or related departments. The Ombudsperson's primary responsibilities include monitoring and inspecting correctional facilities, investigating unresolved complaints from inmates, their families, and corrections staff, creating a uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data on various critical metrics like deaths, assaults, and solitary confinement, and conducting regular facility inspections. They will have broad investigative powers, including unannounced facility access, confidential interviews with staff and inmates, and document review. The Ombudsperson must issue periodic public reports, including an annual report with recommendations, and will be required to make all reports available online and share them with key government officials. The bill also includes important protections against retaliation for individuals who submit complaints and mandates that the Department of Corrections respond to investigations and recommendations within 20 days. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to improve conditions and oversight within the state's correctional system.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (on 03/21/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1643&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB1643.htm |
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