HB5588ham001 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Robyn Gabel

Filed: 3/2/2026

10400HB5588ham001 LRB104 19689 RLC 34916 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 5588

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 5588 on page 1, by replacing lines 8 through 22 with the following:

"(1) restorative justice processes repair harm, improve community safety, and reduce recidivism by centering the needs of impacted persons, community members, and those who cause harm;

(2) restorative justice processes should be implemented to promote equity in access, reduce disparities in criminal legal system involvement, and build community capacity;

(3) community-based restorative justice practitioners and impacted persons are essential partners in the design, implementation, and accountability of Restorative Justice Community Courts; and

(4) Restorative Justice Community Courts, as pioneered by the Circuit Court of Cook County, have demonstrated effectiveness in resolving eligible cases through voluntary, structured, community-based processes.

The General Assembly further finds that, once a criminal case is filed, the management, adjudication, and disposition of that case are core judicial functions under Article VI of the Illinois Constitution, and that referral to a Restorative Justice Community Court constitutes a judicial determination regarding case resolution within the judicial branch."; and

on page 5, line 1, by inserting after "admission." the following: "Nothing in this Section alters the authority of the State's Attorney to initiate criminal charges or to prosecute a case; referral to a Restorative Justice Community Court concerns only the judicial management and disposition of a filed case."; and

on page 5, line 3, by inserting ", pursuant to court order, and shall remain subject to judicial supervision and final disposition by the court" after "post-adjudication"; and

on page 7, line 2, by inserting "and that dismissal serves the interests of justice and public safety," after "Agreement,".