102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB1727

 

Introduced 2/17/2021, by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act of 2021. Provides that a peace officer subjecting another person to the deprivation of individual rights is liable to the person for appropriate relief. Excludes sovereign immunity, statutory immunity, and statutory damages for claims brought under this provision. Provides that qualified immunity is not a defense to liability under this provision. Allows attorney's fees and costs to be awarded to the plaintiff. Provides that civil actions brought under this provision must be commenced within 5 years after the cause of action accrues. Requires units of local government to make public disclosures regarding judgments or settlements awarded under this provision. Determines what information is not required to be disclosed by the unit of local government.


LRB102 14150 KMF 19502 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB1727LRB102 14150 KMF 19502 b

1    AN ACT concerning civil law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Bad
5Apples In Law Enforcement Accountability Act of 2021.
 
6    Section 5. Right of action.
7    (a) A peace officer, as defined in Section 2-13 of the
8Criminal Code of 2012, who subjects or causes to be subjected,
9including by failing to intervene, any other person to the
10deprivation of any individual rights arising under Illinois
11Constitution, is liable to the injured party for legal or
12equitable relief or any other appropriate relief.
13    (b) Sovereign immunity, statutory immunities, and
14statutory limitations on liability, damages, or attorney's
15fees do not apply to claims brought under this Section. The
16Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity
17Act does not apply to claims brought under this Section.
18    (c) Qualified immunity is not a defense to liability under
19this Section.
20    (d) In any action brought under this Section, a court
21shall award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the
22plaintiff, including expert witness fees and other litigation
23expenses, if they are a prevailing party as defined in

 

 

HB1727- 2 -LRB102 14150 KMF 19502 b

1subsection (d) of Section 5 of the Illinois Civil Rights Act of
22003. In actions for injunctive relief, a court shall deem a
3plaintiff to have prevailed if the plaintiff's suit was a
4substantial factor or significant catalyst in obtaining the
5results sought by the litigation. When a judgment is entered
6in favor of a defendant, the court may award reasonable costs
7and attorney's fees to the defendant for defending claims the
8court finds frivolous.
9    (e) A civil action under this Section must be commenced
10within 5 years after the cause of action accrues.
 
11    Section 10. Reporting of judgments and settlements.
12    (a) Any unit of local government that employs a peace
13officer who incurs liability under this Act, whether in the
14form of judgment or settlement entered against the peace
15officer for claims arising under this Act, shall publicly
16disclose:
17        (1) the name of any peace officer or peace officers
18    whose actions or conduct led to the judgment or
19    settlement;
20        (2) the amount of the judgment or settlement, and the
21    portion of that judgment or settlement, if any,
22    indemnified by the unit of local government.
23        (3) any internal discipline taken against the peace
24    officer or peace officers whose actions or conduct led to
25    the judgment or settlement; and

 

 

HB1727- 3 -LRB102 14150 KMF 19502 b

1        (4) any criminal charges pursued against the peace
2    officer or peace officers for the actions or conduct that
3    led to the judgment or settlement.
4    (b) The unit of local government shall not disclose the
5address, social security number, or other unique, non-public
6personal identifying information of any individual who brings
7a claim under this Act.