SB3625 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 15214 TAE 64378 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
SB3625

Introduced 2/14/2020, by Sen. Rachelle Crowe

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2605/2605-615 new
20 ILCS 2705/2705-505.7 new

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Establishes the Blue Alert Advisory Program within the Department of State Police. Provides that the Department shall inform all persons that are within a radius of 100 square miles of the correctional institution or facility from which the inmate has escaped, through electronic communication devices, electronic messages signs on State highways, and any other medium deemed necessary by the Department. Provides that the Department, in coordination with the Department of Corrections, shall develop and implement a community outreach program to promote awareness of the Blue Alert Advisory Program among applicable entities, including, but not limited to, chiefs of police, county sheriffs, and correctional institutions or facilities. Creates the Blue Alert Advisory Coordinator within the Department and provides that he or she shall assist in the establishment of State standards and monitor the availability of federal funding that may become available to further the objectives of the Advisory Program. Provides that the Department shall establish an Inmate Search Task Force within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Prescribes membership for the Task Force. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the Department in the use of electronic message signs on roads and highways to immediately provide critical information to the public concerning escaped inmates, as allowed by federal guidelines. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 2605-615, and 2705-505.7 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2605/2605-615 new)

Sec. 2605-615. Blue Alert Advisory Program.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Department" means the Department of State Police.

"Escape" means the intentional and unauthorized absence of a committed person from the custody of the Department.

"Inmate" means a male or female offender who is committed, under sentence to, or confined in a penal or correctional institution.

(b) A coordinated program known as the Blue Alert Advisory Program is established within the Department of State Police. The purpose of the Blue Alert Advisory Program is to provide a regional system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding an escaped inmate. The Blue Alert Advisory Program shall apply to all inmates that escape a correctional institution or facility. "Correctional institution or facility" has the meaning provided under Section 3-1-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections.

(c) The Department shall inform all persons that are within a radius of 100 square miles of the correctional institution or facility from which the inmate has escaped, through electronic communication devices, electronic messages signs on State highways, and any other medium deemed necessary by the Department.

(d) Subject to appropriation, the Department of State Police, in coordination with the Department of Corrections, shall develop and implement a community outreach program to promote awareness of the Blue Alert Advisory Program among applicable entities, including, but not limited to, chiefs of police, county sheriffs, and correctional institutions or facilities.

(e) The Department shall establish an Inmate Search Task Force no later than 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly to assist the Department in development and deployment of the Blue Alert Advisory Program. The Task Force shall establish the criteria, which may include usage of Department of Transportation signs, under Section 2705-505.6 of the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. The Task Force shall monitor and review the implementation and operation of that program, including procedures, budgetary requirements, standards, and minimum requirements for the training of law enforcement personnel on how to interact appropriately and effectively with escaped inmates. The Task Force shall also develop additional network and financial resources for use in the system. The Task Force shall include, but is not limited to, one representative from each of the following:

(1) the Department of State Police;

(2) the Department of Corrections;

(3) the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board;

(4) the Illinois Emergency Management Agency;

(5) the Secretary of State;

(6) the Department of Transportation;

(7) the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority;

(8) a State organization dedicated to enhancing communication and cooperation between sheriffs;

(9) a State association of police chiefs and other leaders of police and public safety organizations;

(10) a State association representing Illinois publishers;

(11) a State association that advocates for the broadcast industry;

(12) a representative of a large wireless telephone carrier; and

(13) a representative of a small wireless telephone carrier.

(f) The members of the Task Force designated in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (e) shall be appointed by the head of the respective agency. The members of the Task Force designated in paragraphs (8) through (13) of subsection (e) shall be appointed by the Director of State Police. The Director of State Police, or his or her designee, shall serve as Chair of the Task Force.

(g) The Task Force shall meet at least twice a year and shall provide a report on the operations of the Blue Alert Advisory Program to the General Assembly and the Governor each year by June 30.

(h) The Blue Alert Advisory Coordinator is created under the Department. The Blue Alert Advisory Coordinator shall, in conjunction with the members of the Task Force, assist the Department and the Inmate Search Task Force in the establishment of State standards and monitor the availability of federal and private funding that may become available to further the objectives of Blue Alert Advisory Program. The Department shall provide technical assistance for the Coordinator from its existing resources.

(i) The Department shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

Section 10. The Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 2705-505.7 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2705/2705-505.7 new)

Sec. 2705-505.7. Blue Alert Advisory message signs. The Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the Department in the use of electronic message signs on roads and highways to immediately provide critical information to the public concerning escaped inmates, as allowed by federal guidelines.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.