SB2335 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 30562 RLC 56996 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2335

Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Terri Bryant

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

725 ILCS 120/4.5

Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that the Prisoner Review Board shall immediately inform a victim of the early release of the prisoner from State custody or of the prisoner's pardon, commutation, furlough, or granting of sentence credit, if the victim has previously requested notification of that information. Provides that when the defendant has been found guilty but mentally ill and is granted early release, pardon, commutation, or furlough, the Prisoner Review Board immediately shall notify the victim, if the victim has previously requested notification of that information. Provides that the notification shall be based upon the most recent information as to the victim's residence or other location available to the Board. Provides that when no such information is available, the Board shall make all reasonable efforts to obtain the information and make the notification. Provides that this notification requirement is in addition to any notification requirements pursuant to any other statewide victim notification systems. Provides that the Board must document notification efforts if the victim alleges lack of notification.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning criminal law.

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

Section 5. The Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act is amended by changing Section 4.5 as follows:

(725 ILCS 120/4.5)

Sec. 4.5. Procedures to implement the rights of crime victims. To afford crime victims their rights, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and corrections will provide information, as appropriate, of the following procedures:

(a) At the request of the crime victim, law enforcement authorities investigating the case shall provide notice of the status of the investigation, except where the State's Attorney determines that disclosure of such information would unreasonably interfere with the investigation, until such time as the alleged assailant is apprehended or the investigation is closed.

(a-5) When law enforcement authorities reopen a closed case to resume investigating, they shall provide notice of the reopening of the case, except where the State's Attorney determines that disclosure of such information would unreasonably interfere with the investigation.

(b) The office of the State's Attorney:

(1) shall provide notice of the filing of an information, the return of an indictment, or the filing of a petition to adjudicate a minor as a delinquent for a violent crime;

(2) shall provide timely notice of the date, time, and place of court proceedings; of any change in the date, time, and place of court proceedings; and of any cancellation of court proceedings. Notice shall be provided in sufficient time, wherever possible, for the victim to make arrangements to attend or to prevent an unnecessary appearance at court proceedings;

(3) or victim advocate personnel shall provide information of social services and financial assistance available for victims of crime, including information of how to apply for these services and assistance;

(3.5) or victim advocate personnel shall provide information about available victim services, including referrals to programs, counselors, and agencies that assist a victim to deal with trauma, loss, and grief;

(4) shall assist in having any stolen or other personal property held by law enforcement authorities for evidentiary or other purposes returned as expeditiously as possible, pursuant to the procedures set out in Section 115-9 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963;

(5) or victim advocate personnel shall provide appropriate employer intercession services to ensure that employers of victims will cooperate with the criminal justice system in order to minimize an employee's loss of pay and other benefits resulting from court appearances;

(6) shall provide, whenever possible, a secure waiting area during court proceedings that does not require victims to be in close proximity to defendants or juveniles accused of a violent crime, and their families and friends;

(7) shall provide notice to the crime victim of the right to have a translator present at all court proceedings and, in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the right to communications access through a sign language interpreter or by other means;

(8) (blank);

(8.5) shall inform the victim of the right to be present at all court proceedings, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines that the victim's testimony would be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at trial;

(9) shall inform the victim of the right to have present at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence and confidentiality, an advocate and other support person of the victim's choice;

(9.3) shall inform the victim of the right to retain an attorney, at the victim's own expense, who, upon written notice filed with the clerk of the court and State's Attorney, is to receive copies of all notices, motions, and court orders filed thereafter in the case, in the same manner as if the victim were a named party in the case;

(9.5) shall inform the victim of (A) the victim's right under Section 6 of this Act to make a statement at the sentencing hearing; (B) the right of the victim's spouse, guardian, parent, grandparent, and other immediate family and household members under Section 6 of this Act to present a statement at sentencing; and (C) if a presentence report is to be prepared, the right of the victim's spouse, guardian, parent, grandparent, and other immediate family and household members to submit information to the preparer of the presentence report about the effect the offense has had on the victim and the person;

(10) at the sentencing shall make a good faith attempt to explain the minimum amount of time during which the defendant may actually be physically imprisoned. The Office of the State's Attorney shall further notify the crime victim of the right to request from the Prisoner Review Board or Department of Juvenile Justice information concerning the release of the defendant;

(11) shall request restitution at sentencing and as part of a plea agreement if the victim requests restitution;

(12) shall, upon the court entering a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, inform the victim of the notification services available from the Department of Human Services, including the statewide telephone number, under subparagraph (d)(2) of this Section;

(13) shall provide notice within a reasonable time after receipt of notice from the custodian, of the release of the defendant on pretrial release or personal recognizance or the release from detention of a minor who has been detained;

(14) shall explain in nontechnical language the details of any plea or verdict of a defendant, or any adjudication of a juvenile as a delinquent;

(15) shall make all reasonable efforts to consult with the crime victim before the Office of the State's Attorney makes an offer of a plea bargain to the defendant or enters into negotiations with the defendant concerning a possible plea agreement, and shall consider the written statement, if prepared prior to entering into a plea agreement. The right to consult with the prosecutor does not include the right to veto a plea agreement or to insist the case go to trial. If the State's Attorney has not consulted with the victim prior to making an offer or entering into plea negotiations with the defendant, the Office of the State's Attorney shall notify the victim of the offer or the negotiations within 2 business days and confer with the victim;

(16) shall provide notice of the ultimate disposition of the cases arising from an indictment or an information, or a petition to have a juvenile adjudicated as a delinquent for a violent crime;

(17) shall provide notice of any appeal taken by the defendant and information on how to contact the appropriate agency handling the appeal, and how to request notice of any hearing, oral argument, or decision of an appellate court;

(18) shall provide timely notice of any request for post-conviction review filed by the defendant under Article 122 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, and of the date, time and place of any hearing concerning the petition. Whenever possible, notice of the hearing shall be given within 48 hours of the court's scheduling of the hearing;

(19) shall forward a copy of any statement presented under Section 6 to the Prisoner Review Board or Department of Juvenile Justice to be considered in making a determination under Section 3-2.5-85 or subsection (b) of Section 3-3-8 of the Unified Code of Corrections;

(20) shall, within a reasonable time, offer to meet with the crime victim regarding the decision of the State's Attorney not to charge an offense, and shall meet with the victim, if the victim agrees. The victim has a right to have an attorney, advocate, and other support person of the victim's choice attend this meeting with the victim; and

(21) shall give the crime victim timely notice of any decision not to pursue charges and consider the safety of the victim when deciding how to give such notice.

(c) The court shall ensure that the rights of the victim are afforded.

(c-5) The following procedures shall be followed to afford victims the rights guaranteed by Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution:

(1) Written notice. A victim may complete a written notice of intent to assert rights on a form prepared by the Office of the Attorney General and provided to the victim by the State's Attorney. The victim may at any time provide a revised written notice to the State's Attorney. The State's Attorney shall file the written notice with the court. At the beginning of any court proceeding in which the right of a victim may be at issue, the court and prosecutor shall review the written notice to determine whether the victim has asserted the right that may be at issue.

(2) Victim's retained attorney. A victim's attorney shall file an entry of appearance limited to assertion of the victim's rights. Upon the filing of the entry of appearance and service on the State's Attorney and the defendant, the attorney is to receive copies of all notices, motions and court orders filed thereafter in the case.

(3) Standing. The victim has standing to assert the rights enumerated in subsection (a) of Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution and the statutory rights under Section 4 of this Act in any court exercising jurisdiction over the criminal case. The prosecuting attorney, a victim, or the victim's retained attorney may assert the victim's rights. The defendant in the criminal case has no standing to assert a right of the victim in any court proceeding, including on appeal.

(4) Assertion of and enforcement of rights.

(A) The prosecuting attorney shall assert a victim's right or request enforcement of a right by filing a motion or by orally asserting the right or requesting enforcement in open court in the criminal case outside the presence of the jury. The prosecuting attorney shall consult with the victim and the victim's attorney regarding the assertion or enforcement of a right. If the prosecuting attorney decides not to assert or enforce a victim's right, the prosecuting attorney shall notify the victim or the victim's attorney in sufficient time to allow the victim or the victim's attorney to assert the right or to seek enforcement of a right.

(B) If the prosecuting attorney elects not to assert a victim's right or to seek enforcement of a right, the victim or the victim's attorney may assert the victim's right or request enforcement of a right by filing a motion or by orally asserting the right or requesting enforcement in open court in the criminal case outside the presence of the jury.

(C) If the prosecuting attorney asserts a victim's right or seeks enforcement of a right, unless the prosecuting attorney objects or the trial court does not allow it, the victim or the victim's attorney may be heard regarding the prosecuting attorney's motion or may file a simultaneous motion to assert or request enforcement of the victim's right. If the victim or the victim's attorney was not allowed to be heard at the hearing regarding the prosecuting attorney's motion, and the court denies the prosecuting attorney's assertion of the right or denies the request for enforcement of a right, the victim or victim's attorney may file a motion to assert the victim's right or to request enforcement of the right within 10 days of the court's ruling. The motion need not demonstrate the grounds for a motion for reconsideration. The court shall rule on the merits of the motion.

(D) The court shall take up and decide any motion or request asserting or seeking enforcement of a victim's right without delay, unless a specific time period is specified by law or court rule. The reasons for any decision denying the motion or request shall be clearly stated on the record.

(E) No later than January 1, 2023, the Office of the Attorney General shall:

(i) designate an administrative authority within the Office of the Attorney General to receive and investigate complaints relating to the provision or violation of the rights of a crime victim as described in Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution and in this Act;

(ii) create and administer a course of training for employees and offices of the State of Illinois that fail to comply with provisions of Illinois law pertaining to the treatment of crime victims as described in Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution and in this Act as required by the court under Section 5 of this Act; and

(iii) have the authority to make recommendations to employees and offices of the State of Illinois to respond more effectively to the needs of crime victims, including regarding the violation of the rights of a crime victim.

(F) Crime victims' rights may also be asserted by filing a complaint for mandamus, injunctive, or declaratory relief in the jurisdiction in which the victim's right is being violated or where the crime is being prosecuted. For complaints or motions filed by or on behalf of the victim, the clerk of court shall waive filing fees that would otherwise be owed by the victim for any court filing with the purpose of enforcing crime victims' rights. If the court denies the relief sought by the victim, the reasons for the denial shall be clearly stated on the record in the transcript of the proceedings, in a written opinion, or in the docket entry, and the victim may appeal the circuit court's decision to the appellate court. The court shall issue prompt rulings regarding victims' rights. Proceedings seeking to enforce victims' rights shall not be stayed or subject to unreasonable delay via continuances.

(5) Violation of rights and remedies.

(A) If the court determines that a victim's right has been violated, the court shall determine the appropriate remedy for the violation of the victim's right by hearing from the victim and the parties, considering all factors relevant to the issue, and then awarding appropriate relief to the victim.

(A-5) Consideration of an issue of a substantive nature or an issue that implicates the constitutional or statutory right of a victim at a court proceeding labeled as a status hearing shall constitute a per se violation of a victim's right.

(B) The appropriate remedy shall include only actions necessary to provide the victim the right to which the victim was entitled. Remedies may include, but are not limited to: injunctive relief requiring the victim's right to be afforded; declaratory judgment recognizing or clarifying the victim's rights; a writ of mandamus; and may include reopening previously held proceedings; however, in no event shall the court vacate a conviction. Any remedy shall be tailored to provide the victim an appropriate remedy without violating any constitutional right of the defendant. In no event shall the appropriate remedy to the victim be a new trial or damages.

The court shall impose a mandatory training course provided by the Attorney General for the employee under item (ii) of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (4), which must be successfully completed within 6 months of the entry of the court order.

This paragraph (5) takes effect January 2, 2023.

(6) Right to be heard. Whenever a victim has the right to be heard, the court shall allow the victim to exercise the right in any reasonable manner the victim chooses.

(7) Right to attend trial. A party must file a written motion to exclude a victim from trial at least 60 days prior to the date set for trial. The motion must state with specificity the reason exclusion is necessary to protect a constitutional right of the party, and must contain an offer of proof. The court shall rule on the motion within 30 days. If the motion is granted, the court shall set forth on the record the facts that support its finding that the victim's testimony will be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at trial.

(8) Right to have advocate and support person present at court proceedings.

(A) A party who intends to call an advocate as a witness at trial must seek permission of the court before the subpoena is issued. The party must file a written motion at least 90 days before trial that sets forth specifically the issues on which the advocate's testimony is sought and an offer of proof regarding (i) the content of the anticipated testimony of the advocate; and (ii) the relevance, admissibility, and materiality of the anticipated testimony. The court shall consider the motion and make findings within 30 days of the filing of the motion. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that: (i) the anticipated testimony is not protected by an absolute privilege; and (ii) the anticipated testimony contains relevant, admissible, and material evidence that is not available through other witnesses or evidence, the court shall issue a subpoena requiring the advocate to appear to testify at an in camera hearing. The prosecuting attorney and the victim shall have 15 days to seek appellate review before the advocate is required to testify at an ex parte in camera proceeding.

The prosecuting attorney, the victim, and the advocate's attorney shall be allowed to be present at the ex parte in camera proceeding. If, after conducting the ex parte in camera hearing, the court determines that due process requires any testimony regarding confidential or privileged information or communications, the court shall provide to the prosecuting attorney, the victim, and the advocate's attorney a written memorandum on the substance of the advocate's testimony. The prosecuting attorney, the victim, and the advocate's attorney shall have 15 days to seek appellate review before a subpoena may be issued for the advocate to testify at trial. The presence of the prosecuting attorney at the ex parte in camera proceeding does not make the substance of the advocate's testimony that the court has ruled inadmissible subject to discovery.

(B) If a victim has asserted the right to have a support person present at the court proceedings, the victim shall provide the name of the person the victim has chosen to be the victim's support person to the prosecuting attorney, within 60 days of trial. The prosecuting attorney shall provide the name to the defendant. If the defendant intends to call the support person as a witness at trial, the defendant must seek permission of the court before a subpoena is issued. The defendant must file a written motion at least 45 days prior to trial that sets forth specifically the issues on which the support person will testify and an offer of proof regarding: (i) the content of the anticipated testimony of the support person; and (ii) the relevance, admissibility, and materiality of the anticipated testimony.

If the prosecuting attorney intends to call the support person as a witness during the State's case-in-chief, the prosecuting attorney shall inform the court of this intent in the response to the defendant's written motion. The victim may choose a different person to be the victim's support person. The court may allow the defendant to inquire about matters outside the scope of the direct examination during cross-examination. If the court allows the defendant to do so, the support person shall be allowed to remain in the courtroom after the support person has testified. A defendant who fails to question the support person about matters outside the scope of direct examination during the State's case-in-chief waives the right to challenge the presence of the support person on appeal. The court shall allow the support person to testify if called as a witness in the defendant's case-in-chief or the State's rebuttal.

If the court does not allow the defendant to inquire about matters outside the scope of the direct examination, the support person shall be allowed to remain in the courtroom after the support person has been called by the defendant or the defendant has rested. The court shall allow the support person to testify in the State's rebuttal.

If the prosecuting attorney does not intend to call the support person in the State's case-in-chief, the court shall verify with the support person whether the support person, if called as a witness, would testify as set forth in the offer of proof. If the court finds that the support person would testify as set forth in the offer of proof, the court shall rule on the relevance, materiality, and admissibility of the anticipated testimony. If the court rules the anticipated testimony is admissible, the court shall issue the subpoena. The support person may remain in the courtroom after the support person testifies and shall be allowed to testify in rebuttal.

If the court excludes the victim's support person during the State's case-in-chief, the victim shall be allowed to choose another support person to be present in court.

If the victim fails to designate a support person within 60 days of trial and the defendant has subpoenaed the support person to testify at trial, the court may exclude the support person from the trial until the support person testifies. If the court excludes the support person the victim may choose another person as a support person.

(9) Right to notice and hearing before disclosure of confidential or privileged information or records.

(A) A defendant who seeks to subpoena testimony or records of or concerning the victim that are confidential or privileged by law must seek permission of the court before the subpoena is issued. The defendant must file a written motion and an offer of proof regarding the relevance, admissibility and materiality of the testimony or records. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that:

(i) the testimony or records are not protected by an absolute privilege and

(ii) the testimony or records contain relevant, admissible, and material evidence that is not available through other witnesses or evidence, the court shall issue a subpoena requiring the witness to appear in camera or a sealed copy of the records be delivered to the court to be reviewed in camera. If, after conducting an in camera review of the witness statement or records, the court determines that due process requires disclosure of any potential testimony or any portion of the records, the court shall provide copies of the records that it intends to disclose to the prosecuting attorney and the victim. The prosecuting attorney and the victim shall have 30 days to seek appellate review before the records are disclosed to the defendant, used in any court proceeding, or disclosed to anyone or in any way that would subject the testimony or records to public review. The disclosure of copies of any portion of the testimony or records to the prosecuting attorney under this Section does not make the records subject to discovery or required to be provided to the defendant.

(B) A prosecuting attorney who seeks to subpoena information or records concerning the victim that are confidential or privileged by law must first request the written consent of the crime victim. If the victim does not provide such written consent, including where necessary the appropriate signed document required for waiving privilege, the prosecuting attorney must serve the subpoena at least 21 days prior to the date a response or appearance is required to allow the subject of the subpoena time to file a motion to quash or request a hearing. The prosecuting attorney must also send a written notice to the victim at least 21 days prior to the response date to allow the victim to file a motion or request a hearing. The notice to the victim shall inform the victim (i) that a subpoena has been issued for confidential information or records concerning the victim, (ii) that the victim has the right to request a hearing prior to the response date of the subpoena, and (iii) how to request the hearing. The notice to the victim shall also include a copy of the subpoena. If requested, a hearing regarding the subpoena shall occur before information or records are provided to the prosecuting attorney.

(10) Right to notice of court proceedings. If the victim is not present at a court proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue, the court shall ask the prosecuting attorney whether the victim was notified of the time, place, and purpose of the court proceeding and that the victim had a right to be heard at the court proceeding. If the court determines that timely notice was not given or that the victim was not adequately informed of the nature of the court proceeding, the court shall not rule on any substantive issues, accept a plea, or impose a sentence and shall continue the hearing for the time necessary to notify the victim of the time, place and nature of the court proceeding. The time between court proceedings shall not be attributable to the State under Section 103-5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963.

(11) Right to timely disposition of the case. A victim has the right to timely disposition of the case so as to minimize the stress, cost, and inconvenience resulting from the victim's involvement in the case. Before ruling on a motion to continue trial or other court proceeding, the court shall inquire into the circumstances for the request for the delay and, if the victim has provided written notice of the assertion of the right to a timely disposition, and whether the victim objects to the delay. If the victim objects, the prosecutor shall inform the court of the victim's objections. If the prosecutor has not conferred with the victim about the continuance, the prosecutor shall inform the court of the attempts to confer. If the court finds the attempts of the prosecutor to confer with the victim were inadequate to protect the victim's right to be heard, the court shall give the prosecutor at least 3 but not more than 5 business days to confer with the victim. In ruling on a motion to continue, the court shall consider the reasons for the requested continuance, the number and length of continuances that have been granted, the victim's objections and procedures to avoid further delays. If a continuance is granted over the victim's objection, the court shall specify on the record the reasons for the continuance and the procedures that have been or will be taken to avoid further delays.

(12) Right to Restitution.

(A) If the victim has asserted the right to restitution and the amount of restitution is known at the time of sentencing, the court shall enter the judgment of restitution at the time of sentencing.

(B) If the victim has asserted the right to restitution and the amount of restitution is not known at the time of sentencing, the prosecutor shall, within 5 days after sentencing, notify the victim what information and documentation related to restitution is needed and that the information and documentation must be provided to the prosecutor within 45 days after sentencing. Failure to timely provide information and documentation related to restitution shall be deemed a waiver of the right to restitution. The prosecutor shall file and serve within 60 days after sentencing a proposed judgment for restitution and a notice that includes information concerning the identity of any victims or other persons seeking restitution, whether any victim or other person expressly declines restitution, the nature and amount of any damages together with any supporting documentation, a restitution amount recommendation, and the names of any co-defendants and their case numbers. Within 30 days after receipt of the proposed judgment for restitution, the defendant shall file any objection to the proposed judgment, a statement of grounds for the objection, and a financial statement. If the defendant does not file an objection, the court may enter the judgment for restitution without further proceedings. If the defendant files an objection and either party requests a hearing, the court shall schedule a hearing.

(13) Access to presentence reports.

(A) The victim may request a copy of the presentence report prepared under the Unified Code of Corrections from the State's Attorney. The State's Attorney shall redact the following information before providing a copy of the report:

(i) the defendant's mental history and condition;

(ii) any evaluation prepared under subsection (b) or (b-5) of Section 5-3-2; and

(iii) the name, address, phone number, and other personal information about any other victim.

(B) The State's Attorney or the defendant may request the court redact other information in the report that may endanger the safety of any person.

(C) The State's Attorney may orally disclose to the victim any of the information that has been redacted if there is a reasonable likelihood that the information will be stated in court at the sentencing.

(D) The State's Attorney must advise the victim that the victim must maintain the confidentiality of the report and other information. Any dissemination of the report or information that was not stated at a court proceeding constitutes indirect criminal contempt of court.

(14) Appellate relief. If the trial court denies the relief requested, the victim, the victim's attorney, or the prosecuting attorney may file an appeal within 30 days of the trial court's ruling. The trial or appellate court may stay the court proceedings if the court finds that a stay would not violate a constitutional right of the defendant. If the appellate court denies the relief sought, the reasons for the denial shall be clearly stated in a written opinion. In any appeal in a criminal case, the State may assert as error the court's denial of any crime victim's right in the proceeding to which the appeal relates.

(15) Limitation on appellate relief. In no case shall an appellate court provide a new trial to remedy the violation of a victim's right.

(16) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process and the right to have the safety of the victim and the victim's family considered in determining whether to release the defendant, and setting conditions of release after arrest and conviction. A victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking may request the entry of a protective order under Article 112A of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963.

(d) Procedures after the imposition of sentence.

(1) The Prisoner Review Board shall inform a victim or any other concerned citizen, upon written request, of the prisoner's release on parole, mandatory supervised release, electronic detention, work release, international transfer or exchange, or by the custodian, other than the Department of Juvenile Justice, of the discharge of any individual who was adjudicated a delinquent for a crime from State custody and by the sheriff of the appropriate county of any such person's final discharge from county custody. The Prisoner Review Board, upon written request, shall provide to a victim or any other concerned citizen a recent photograph of any person convicted of a felony, upon his or her release from custody. The Prisoner Review Board, upon written request, shall inform a victim or any other concerned citizen when feasible at least 7 days prior to the prisoner's release on furlough of the times and dates of such furlough. Upon written request by the victim or any other concerned citizen, the State's Attorney shall notify the person once of the times and dates of release of a prisoner sentenced to periodic imprisonment. Notification shall be based on the most recent information as to the victim's or other concerned citizen's residence or other location available to the notifying authority.

(1.5) The Prisoner Review Board shall immediately inform a victim of the early release of the prisoner from State custody or of the prisoner's pardon, commutation, furlough, or granting of sentence credit, if the victim has previously requested notification of that information. The notification shall be based upon the most recent information as to the victim's residence or other location available to the Board. When no such information is available, the Board shall make all reasonable efforts to obtain the information and make the notification. This notification requirement is in addition to any notification requirements pursuant to any other statewide victim notification systems. The Board must document notification efforts if that victim alleges lack of notification under this paragraph (1.5).

(2) When the defendant has been committed to the Department of Human Services pursuant to Section 5-2-4 of the Unified Code of Corrections or transferred to the Department of Human Services under Section 3-8-5 and has not been returned to the Department of Corrections under Section 3-8-6 or any other provision of the Unified Code of Corrections, the victim may request to be notified by the releasing authority of the approval by the court of an on-grounds pass, a supervised off-grounds pass, an unsupervised off-grounds pass, or conditional release; the release on an off-grounds pass; the return from an off-grounds pass; transfer to another facility; conditional release; escape; death; or final discharge from State custody. The Department of Human Services shall establish and maintain a statewide telephone number to be used by victims to make notification requests under these provisions and shall publicize this telephone number on its website and to the State's Attorney of each county.

(2.5) When the defendant has been found guilty but mentally ill pursuant to Section 5-2-6 of the Unified Code of Corrections and is granted early release, pardon, commutation, or furlough, the Prisoner Review Board immediately shall notify the victim, if the victim has previously requested notification of that information. The notification shall be based upon the most recent information as to the victim's residence or other location available to the Board. When no such information is available, the Board shall make all reasonable efforts to obtain the information and make the notification. This notification requirement is in addition to any notification requirements pursuant to any other statewide victim notification systems. The Board must document notification efforts if the victim alleges lack of notification under this paragraph (2.5).

(3) In the event of an escape from State custody, the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice immediately shall notify the Prisoner Review Board of the escape and the Prisoner Review Board shall notify the victim. The notification shall be based upon the most recent information as to the victim's residence or other location available to the Board. When no such information is available, the Board shall make all reasonable efforts to obtain the information and make the notification. When the escapee is apprehended, the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice immediately shall notify the Prisoner Review Board and the Board shall notify the victim. This notification requirement is in addition to any notification requirements pursuant to any other statewide victim notification systems. The Board must document notification efforts if that victim alleges lack of notification under this paragraph (3).

(4) The victim of the crime for which the prisoner has been sentenced has the right to register with the Prisoner Review Board's victim registry. Victims registered with the Board shall receive reasonable written notice not less than 30 days prior to the parole hearing or target aftercare release date. The victim has the right to submit a victim statement for consideration by the Prisoner Review Board or the Department of Juvenile Justice in writing, on film, videotape, or other electronic means, or in the form of a recording prior to the parole hearing or target aftercare release date, or in person at the parole hearing or aftercare release protest hearing, or by calling the toll-free number established in subsection (f) of this Section. The victim shall be notified within 7 days after the prisoner has been granted parole or aftercare release and shall be informed of the right to inspect the registry of parole decisions, established under subsection (g) of Section 3-3-5 of the Unified Code of Corrections. The provisions of this paragraph (4) are subject to the Open Parole Hearings Act. Victim statements provided to the Board shall be confidential and privileged, including any statements received prior to January 1, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-288), except if the statement was an oral statement made by the victim at a hearing open to the public.

(4-1) The crime victim has the right to submit a victim statement for consideration by the Prisoner Review Board or the Department of Juvenile Justice prior to or at a hearing to determine the conditions of mandatory supervised release of a person sentenced to a determinate sentence or at a hearing on revocation of mandatory supervised release of a person sentenced to a determinate sentence. A victim statement may be submitted in writing, on film, videotape, or other electronic means, or in the form of a recording, or orally at a hearing, or by calling the toll-free number established in subsection (f) of this Section. Victim statements provided to the Board shall be confidential and privileged, including any statements received prior to January 1, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-288), except if the statement was an oral statement made by the victim at a hearing open to the public.

(4-2) The crime victim has the right to submit a victim statement to the Prisoner Review Board for consideration at an executive clemency hearing as provided in Section 3-3-13 of the Unified Code of Corrections. A victim statement may be submitted in writing, on film, videotape, or other electronic means, or in the form of a recording prior to a hearing, or orally at a hearing, or by calling the toll-free number established in subsection (f) of this Section. Victim statements provided to the Board shall be confidential and privileged, including any statements received prior to January 1, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-288), except if the statement was an oral statement made by the victim at a hearing open to the public.

(5) If a statement is presented under Section 6, the Prisoner Review Board or Department of Juvenile Justice shall inform the victim of any order of discharge pursuant to Section 3-2.5-85 or 3-3-8 of the Unified Code of Corrections.

(6) At the written or oral request of the victim of the crime for which the prisoner was sentenced or the State's Attorney of the county where the person seeking parole or aftercare release was prosecuted, the Prisoner Review Board or Department of Juvenile Justice shall notify the victim and the State's Attorney of the county where the person seeking parole or aftercare release was prosecuted of the death of the prisoner if the prisoner died while on parole or aftercare release or mandatory supervised release.

(7) When a defendant who has been committed to the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Department of Human Services is released or discharged and subsequently committed to the Department of Human Services as a sexually violent person and the victim had requested to be notified by the releasing authority of the defendant's discharge, conditional release, death, or escape from State custody, the releasing authority shall provide to the Department of Human Services such information that would allow the Department of Human Services to contact the victim.

(8) When a defendant has been convicted of a sex offense as defined in Section 2 of the Sex Offender Registration Act and has been sentenced to the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Prisoner Review Board or the Department of Juvenile Justice shall notify the victim of the sex offense of the prisoner's eligibility for release on parole, aftercare release, mandatory supervised release, electronic detention, work release, international transfer or exchange, or by the custodian of the discharge of any individual who was adjudicated a delinquent for a sex offense from State custody and by the sheriff of the appropriate county of any such person's final discharge from county custody. The notification shall be made to the victim at least 30 days, whenever possible, before release of the sex offender.

(e) The officials named in this Section may satisfy some or all of their obligations to provide notices and other information through participation in a statewide victim and witness notification system established by the Attorney General under Section 8.5 of this Act.

(f) The Prisoner Review Board shall establish a toll-free number that may be accessed by the crime victim to present a victim statement to the Board in accordance with paragraphs (4), (4-1), and (4-2) of subsection (d).

(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-288, eff. 1-1-20; 101-652, eff. 1-1-23; 102-22, eff. 6-25-21; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)