Traffic/DUI

The immediate issue of funding for court reporters, childcare assistance, and the Department of Corrections is being negotiated by Governor Rauner and the four legislative leaders. As was reported in the Pantagraph, “A child care program for low-income parents needs $300 million to make it through the end of the year. The Illinois Department of Corrections says it will begin running out of money to pay guards in mid-April. And, funds to pay court reporters are running dry, potentially resulting in a stoppage of court activity.” This week I was told that legislators have noticed that they are not hearing as much from constituents on the shortage for court reporting funding as the other two problems. I was told that they were unaware of the impact that this would have on county detention of defendants awaiting trial and possible Speedy Trial problems. If you have an opportunity, you may wish to bring this up with your state senator and representative. Their telephone numbers may be found on the General Assembly website at www.ilga.gov/ Thank you.

(Cabello, R-Rockford) prohibits a guilty plea from being taken unless the court explains the following to the defendant: (1) the maximum and minimum penalty provided by law for the offense which may be imposed by the court (rather than the consequences of the plea and the maximum penalty provided by law for the offense which may be imposed by the court); (2) any possible increased sentence by reason of the fact of a prior conviction or future conviction and any possibility of the imposition of consecutive sentences; (3) any registration requirement that accompanies the plea and the restrictions associated with the registration; and (4) the consequences of the plea on a defendant’s ability to: (a) retain or obtain housing in the public or private market; (b) acquire loans for educational or other purposes; (c) enroll in certain degree programs; (d) retain or obtain employment; (e) retain or obtain an occupational or driver's license; (f) possess a firearm; and (g) retain or obtain custody of a child. Scheduled for hearing next Tuesday in House Criminal Law Committee.

(Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago) allows a court, on the motion of court-appointed counsel, to conduct a hearing on the amount of payment to court-appointed counsel. Under current law the State’s Attorney or the court may now make this motion. This bill adds the court-appointed counsel as well. Assigned to House Rules Committee.

(Haine, D-Alton) lifts the ceiling for the court-services fee that is now at $25. It can be increased to more than $25 if accompanied by an acceptable cost study per statute. The court-services fee is dedicated to the the county sheriff for court security and applies to civil pleadings and criminal convictions. Just introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.

(Althoff, R-McHenry) amends the Counties Code to allow defaulted fines or penalties or installments of either to be collected by any means authorized for the collection of monetary judgments. Allows the state’s attorney to retain attorneys and private collection agents to do the collections. Charges their fees against the offender. Just introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.