House Sponsors: BRUNSVOLD. Short description: PEACE OFFICERS-INDEMNIFICATION Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Removes the provision that a municipality, having a population of less than 500,000, must indemnify a police officer only to the extent of $500,000, which includes the cost of the action. Removes the requirement that, before the municipality has a duty to indemnify an officer, the police officer must notify the municipality of the officer's being made a party-defendant in a case involving the officer's performance of duties as a police officer. Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Provides that a local public entity is empowered and directed to pay any tort judgment or settlement for "any and all" (instead of "compensatory") damages. FISCAL NOTE (Illinois Courts Administrative Office) Though HB 4915 would increase the potential liability of local governments for actions of non-judicial employees of the circuit courts, the direct fiscal impact of the bill on the judicial branch would be minimal. JUDICIAL NOTE (Illinois Courts Administrative Office) HB 4915 could increase judicial workloads. However, it is not anticipated that the bill would increase the number of judges needed in the State. HOME RULE NOTE (Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) HB 4915 does not contain language indicating a limitation of home rule powers and functions. Therefore, in the opinion of DCCA, HB 4915 does not pre-empt home rule authority. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes everything. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Requires a municipality, having a population of less than 500,000, to indemnify a police officer to the extent of $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000), which includes the costs of the action. Provides that the indemnified police officer must, within 20 (instead of 10) days, notify the municipality of the officer's being made a party-defendant in a case involving the officer's performance of duties as a police officer. Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Includes "attorney fees and costs" in the "compensatory damages" that a local public entity is empowered and directed to pay with respect to any tort judgment or settlement. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (Illinois Courts Administrative Office) This legislation would have no direct fiscal impact on the judicial branch, but may have some impact on local governments in regard to potential liability for the acts or omissions of non-judicial employees of the circuit courts. JUDICIAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (Illinois Courts Administrative Office) This legislation would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the State. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status