103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5534

 

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Will Guzzardi

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
55 ILCS 5/3-9008.5 new

    Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a State's Attorney may not represent the State in the charging and prosecution of law enforcement officer-involved shootings within the county in which the State's Attorney serves. Provides that the court, on its own motion, shall file a petition alleging that the State's Attorney has an actual conflict of interest in the proceeding and shall appoint a special prosecutor as provided in this Section. Provides that the court shall attempt to appoint a public prosecutor from a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Office of Attorney General, Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, or another State's Attorney's office throughout the State. Includes provisions about the appointment of the special prosecutor and the special prosecutor's authority and fees.


LRB103 37802 AWJ 67932 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5534LRB103 37802 AWJ 67932 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by adding Section
53-9008.5 as follows:
 
6    (55 ILCS 5/3-9008.5 new)
7    Sec. 3-9008.5. Prosecutions of law enforcement
8officer-involved shootings.
9    (a) A State's Attorney may not represent the State in the
10charging and prosecution of law enforcement officer-involved
11shootings within the county in which the State's Attorney
12serves. The court, on its own motion, shall file a petition
13alleging that the State's Attorney has an actual conflict of
14interest in the proceeding and shall appoint a special
15prosecutor as provided in this Section.
16    (b) Prior to appointing a private attorney under this
17Section, the court shall contact public agencies, including,
18but not limited to, the Office of Attorney General, Office of
19the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, or another State's
20Attorney's office throughout the State, to determine if a
21public prosecutor is available to serve as a special
22prosecutor at no cost to the county. If a public prosecutor is
23available, the court shall appoint the public prosecutor if

 

 

HB5534- 2 -LRB103 37802 AWJ 67932 b

1the individual is able and willing to accept the appointment
2as special prosecutor. An attorney appointed under this
3subsection shall have the same power and authority in relation
4to the cause or proceeding as the State's Attorney would have
5if present and attending to the cause or proceeding.
6    (c) An order granting authority to a special prosecutor
7must be construed strictly and narrowly by the court. The
8power and authority of a special prosecutor shall not be
9expanded without prior notice to the county. In the case of the
10proposed expansion of a special prosecutor's power and
11authority, a county may provide the court with information on
12the financial impact of an expansion on the county. Prior to
13the signing of an order requiring a county to pay for
14attorney's fees or litigation expenses, the county shall be
15provided with a detailed copy of the invoice describing the
16fees, and the invoice shall include all activities performed
17in relation to the case and the amount of time spent on each
18activity.