SR0175 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0175 LRB099 11029 GRL 31407 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Grand juries have always had the responsibility of investigating, indicting, and prosecuting persons who violate the criminal laws of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, In light of recent events around the country, members of the public have lost confidence in the criminal justice system and the grand jury process; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the grand jury process utilized in this State should be reviewed to ensure the impartiality and effectiveness of the process; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Grand Jury Review Task Force is created to review the current grand jury process and suggest reforms to the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) One member appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall serve as co-chairperson;

(2) One member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, who shall serve as co-chairperson;

(3) The Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, or his or her designee;

(4) The Director of the Illinois Office of the State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor, or his or her designee;

(5) The State Appellate Defender, or his or her designee;

(6) The Executive Director of the Illinois State Bar Association, or his or her designee;

(7) The President of the Chicago Bar Association, or his or her designee;

(8) The President of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, or his or her designee;

(9) One law professor, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(10) One retired judge, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(11) One member representing the Chicago Innocence Project, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(12) Two members representing advocacy groups involved in criminal justice, one of which is to be appointed by the President of the Senate and one to be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(13) Two members of the public, one of which is to be appointed by the President of the Senate and one to be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; and

(14) The President of the Illinois Press Association, or his or her designee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall meet regularly and hold public hearings at the call of the co-chairpersons to receive testimony regarding the grand jury process and any suggested reforms; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative support and technical assistance, as well as meeting space, to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Grand Jury Review Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before December 31, 2015; the report shall, at a minimum, include:

(1) A summary of the current grand jury process;

(2) Any and all deficiencies discovered within the current grand jury process;

(3) Recommendations to improve the grand jury process;

(4) A recommendation advising whether grand jury proceedings shall remain closed to the public;

(5) A recommendation advising whether certain portions of grand jury proceedings should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act; and

(6) A recommendation regarding whether an expanded use of preliminary hearings would advance the same goals as the grand jury process; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall also work with the Legislative Reference Bureau to draft any legislation needed to implement its recommendations.