Criminal Justice

Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Makes changes concerning the circumstances under which officer-worn body camera footage may be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act. Requires a requester of officer-worn body camera footage under the Freedom of Information Act to certify specified information with the request. Exempts officer-worn body camera footage from disclosure if it reveals certain information, depicts certain information, involves an active investigation, relates to pending criminal charges, would prejudice a jury or compromise prosecution, will be used for a listed forbidden purpose, or is otherwise exempt. Requires a law enforcement agency to make available for inspection and copying officer-worn body camera footage that is not exempt from disclosure. Allows a law enforcement agency to deny a request that violates certain provisions or standards established under certain provisions. Provides that a public body, law enforcement agency, or employee acting in good faith reliance is not subject to civil liability solely for denying or limiting access to a body-worn camera recording, as long as the denial or limitation is based on a reasonable interpretation of applicable law. Repeals the provisions added to the Officer-Worn Body Camera Act by the amendatory Act 5 years after the amendatory Act's effective date.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that any person may file a petition to vacate a conviction or sentence, regardless of criminal custody status or citizenship or immigration status, as defined in the Illinois TRUST Act, if the person asserts that: (1) the conviction or sentence is legally invalid due to prejudicial error damaging the petitioner's ability to meaningfully understand, defend against, or knowingly accept the actual or potential adverse immigration consequences of a conviction or sentence; or (2) newly discovered evidence of actual innocence exists that requires vacation of the conviction or sentence as a matter of law or in the interests of justice. Provides that such a petition shall be deemed timely filed at any time notwithstanding any other provision of law. Provides that the time limitations for petitions filed in the trial court under the Post-Conviction Hearing Article of the Code do not apply to a petition filed under this provision. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a provision granting relief from a final order or judgment entered based on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and that has potential consequences under federal immigration law applies to orders or judgments entered before, on, or after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Increases, by one class, the penalties for the unlawful possession of nitrous oxide or any substance containing nitrous oxide. Increases, by one class, the penalties for intentionally manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to manufacture or deliver nitrous oxide for any prohibited purpose.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that either the court or the State's Attorney, or both, (rather than the State's Attorney) or an entity designated by the State's Attorney, may establish community mediation programs designed to provide citizen participation in addressing juvenile delinquency. Provides that prior to entering a sentence, the court shall require the parties involved to consider participation in a restorative practice, such as a conference or circle as defined in the Code of Civil Procedure, to identify and repair harm to the extent possible, address trauma, reduce the likelihood of further harm, and strengthen community ties by focusing on the needs and obligations of all parties involved through a participatory process. Provides that participation in the process shall be voluntary by all parties, and any resulting agreement shall contain only reasonable and proportionate obligations. Provides that the agreement shall be recommended to the court as an alternative to sentencing.

Amends the Protective Orders Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Changes the definition of "harassment". Provides that the court may order the respondent to cease harassment. Establishes procedures for motions to extend plenary protective orders. Provides that the court may order the respondent to stop creating, using, and disseminating; remove; and delete the following harassing conduct: (1) any and all material or statements that constitute harassment, including, but not limited to, doxing, electronically generated or digitally altered content, and sexual private images and digitally altered sexual images; and (2) any and all electronic tracking or monitoring devices, system, or other electronic means, or tracking information. Provides that the court may order the respondent to present sufficient evidence that such compliance has occurred. Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 to make conforming changes.

Amends the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, any line-of-duty disability pension shall be at least $40,000 per year (instead of $400 per month), without regard to whether the disability or death of the police officer occurred before July 1, 2026. In provisions concerning an annual increase in the line-of-duty disability pension, removes requirements that an applicant must file an affidavit stating that the applicant has not earned any income from gainful employment during the most recently concluded tax year; have service credit in the Fund for at least 7 years of active duty; and have been receiving a line-of-duty disability pension for a period which, when added to the officer's total service credit in the Fund, equals at least 20 years. Provides that, if a disabled police officer is receiving a line-of-duty disability pension and is an annuitant of a municipality that sponsors a group hospital and medical plan that includes police officers or is participating in certain group insurance coverage, then the pension fund shall pay the total monthly premium on behalf of that police officer for such group insurance coverage. Amends the Property Tax Code. Sets forth a homestead exemption for property owned by a person receiving a line-of-duty disability pension in an amount equal to 50% of the equalized or assessed value of the property if the person is age 25 or over and under the age of 36, 75% of the equalized or assessed value of the property if the person is age 36 or over and under the age of 50, and 100% of the equalized or assessed value of the property if the person is age 50 or over. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Provides that disclosure of nonexempt records protected under the Act may be disclosed for research activities under the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act. Amends the Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Provides that staff and any designee of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, members of the Ad Hoc Statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Board, and the regional domestic violence fatality review teams are entitled to receive, inspect, copy, and share HIV-related information of any person subject to a domestic violence fatality review as part of and in accordance with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act. Provides that the information disclosed is subject to the confidentiality requirements of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that records in the possession of any public body created in the course of administrative enforcement proceedings, and any law enforcement or correctional agency for law enforcement purposes, that contain the name, address, or other identifying information or contact information of a person who is under the age of 18 years old and who is a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual violence are exempt from inspection and copying under certain provisions regarding a public body redacting the exempt information.

Creates the Judicial Sexual Assault Training Act. Requires the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to develop and implement a sexual assault continuing education program for judges and relevant court personnel. Provides issues to be included in the program. Requires the program to be included in the New Judge Seminar curriculum and be a mandatory program at the biennial Judicial Education Conference. Requires the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to make a record of a judge's completion of the program after the New Judge Seminar and the Judicial Education Conference and make that record available to the public upon request.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the 15-year penalty enhancement for committing various offenses with a firearm, applies only if the person committed the offense while personally armed with the firearm.