HB 5517

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates the Certification Enforcement Unit within the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Removes the Review Committee created within the Board. Provides that the Certification Enforcement Unit shall be headed by the Deputy Director of the Certification Enforcement Unit. Provides that the Deputy Director of the Certification Enforcement Unit shall be appointed by the Board and must have (1) substantial experience in law enforcement, criminal law, civil-rights law, or government investigations and (2) demonstrated integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and leadership. Provides that any investigator hired to serve in the Certification Enforcement Unit must have at least 2 years of prior investigative experience and may have previously served as a certified or licensed law enforcement officer. Changes the name of the Certification Review Panel to the Decertification Review Panel. In provisions concerning formal complaint hearings, provides that, at the hearing, the Certification Enforcement Unit bears the burden of proving that the officer committed the decertifying conduct by clear and convincing evidence. Provides that all hearings shall be open to the public. In provisions concerning certification review meetings, provides that the Panel shall vote to decertify the officer if a simple majority of the Panel finds that (1) any alleged decertification conduct has been proven by clear and convincing evidence; and (2) there is no mitigating factor or combination of mitigating factors that significantly outweigh the seriousness of the misconduct and the impact of the misconduct on the victim and the community. Provides that a law enforcement agency and the Illinois State Police shall notify the Board when an officer is discharged or dismissed because of a sustained violation of a department, agency, or Illinois State Police policy that includes assault, sexual assault, bribery, coercion, fraud, theft, untruthfulness, bias, excessive force, conduct that constitutes a significant abuse of the public trust, or reflects an unfitness to serve, or any other specified conduct. The agency shall provide information regarding the nature of the violation. The notification shall occur as soon as the officer is discharged or dismissed. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.