summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
04/11/2025
04/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act. Provides for the review of the case file of open unresolved murders. Defines "open unresolved murder" as any criminal activity in which death occurred more than 3 years prior to the date of the application for review of the case file under the Act, for which all probative investigative leads have been exhausted, and for which no likely perpetrator has been identified. Provides that the person or persons performing the review shall not have previously investigated the murder. Provides that only one case review shall be undertaken at any one time with respect to the same murder victim. Provides that each law enforcement agency shall develop a written application to be used for persons to request a case file review. Provides that the applicable agency shall conduct a full reinvestigation of the murder if the review of the case file concludes that a full reinvestigation of the murder would result in probative investigative leads. Provides for the compilation and publication of specified information and statistics regarding open unresolved murders by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Provides that each law enforcement agency shall employ or designate a minimum number of family liaison officers proportionate to the average number of homicides in the agency's jurisdiction within the previous 5 years of the date of employment with the maximum ratio of 40 homicides per each family liaison officer employed or designated. Each agency may establish a lower ratio for hiring or designating of family liaison officers. Establishes the duties and training for family liaison officers. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act to make conforming changes.
AI Summary
This bill creates the Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act, which establishes a comprehensive process for reviewing unsolved murder cases that are more than three years old. The law requires law enforcement agencies to develop a written application process for families to request a case file review of an "open unresolved murder" - defined as a case where all initial investigative leads have been exhausted and no likely perpetrator has been identified. The review must be conducted by investigators who did not originally work on the case and must include analyzing missed investigative steps, reassessing witness interviews, examining physical evidence for potential new forensic testing, and updating the file to current investigative standards. If the review indicates potential new leads, a full reinvestigation can be initiated. The bill also mandates that each law enforcement agency employ family liaison officers proportionate to their annual homicide rate, with these officers responsible for maintaining communication with victims' families, gathering evidence, providing support, and ensuring families receive regular updates about the investigation. Additionally, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority will be required to collect and publish annual statistics about open unresolved murders, including details about victim demographics and case resolution efforts. The law aims to provide transparency, support for victims' families, and renewed hope for solving cold cases.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (16)
Kam Buckner (D)*,
Dee Avelar (D),
Diane Blair-Sherlock (D),
Mary Beth Canty (D),
Michael Crawford (D),
Lisa Davis (D),
Dan Didech (D),
Jen Gong-Gershowitz (D),
Nicolle Grasse (D),
Matt Hanson (D),
Barbara Hernandez (D),
Maura Hirschauer (D),
Tracy Katz Muhl (D),
Lindsey LaPointe (D),
Camille Lilly (D),
Nabeela Syed (D),
Last Action
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate (on 03/12/2026)
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