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SB 2138

AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of health and human services for grants to organizations providing care for the elderly.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Mike Beltz and 4 co-sponsors

Extends LEOSA protections to court security officers and exempts them from Illinois weapon prohibitions in vehicles, on person, or in public streets.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/08
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Bill Summary · SB 2138

Bill Summary — SB 2138 (104th General Assembly, 2025)

Short title / subject

Amendments to weapons-possession exemptions and to the County Jail Act to extend Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) status to court security officers.

Main purpose / intent

SB 2138 would clarify that court security officers are exempt from Illinois provisions that otherwise bar carrying or possessing weapons in vehicles, on their person, or on public streets/lands within municipal corporate limits, and would formally deem current and retired court security officers to be “qualified” law enforcement officers (or qualified retired/separated officers) in Illinois for purposes of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA). In short: it seeks to expand carrying privileges and LEOSA coverage for court security officers, subject to applicable Illinois implementation requirements.

Key provisions

  • Amends 720 ILCS 5/24-2 (Criminal Code of 2012 — exemptions) to add court security officers to the list of persons exempt from certain prohibitions in Section 24-1 concerning carrying/possession of weapons:
    • Specifically addresses carrying/possession in vehicles, concealed on the person, or on public streets/lands within municipal limits.
  • Amends 730 ILCS 125/26.1 (County Jail Act) to state that:
    • Court security officers shall be deemed qualified law enforcement officers (or, if retired, qualified retired/separated law enforcement officers) in Illinois for purposes of LEOSA.
    • Such officers “shall have all rights and privileges” under LEOSA provided they are otherwise compliant with applicable Illinois laws that govern LEOSA implementation and administration.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: court security officers employed by courts or counties (and retired court security officers).
  • Secondary: municipal authorities, law enforcement agencies, and the general public (through changes in who may lawfully carry firearms in certain public places).
  • Legal/administrative: agencies responsible for implementing training, certification, and recordkeeping for court security officers and for enforcing state limits on firearm possession.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced by Sen. Chapin Rose on February 7, 2025 (text cites 720 ILCS 5/24‑2 and 730 ILCS 125/26.1).
  • The metadata provided lists the bill’s status as “Died In Committee.” However, the included legislative-action entries show extensive activity (committee hearings, favorable reports, readings, and Senate passage in March–May 2025). These items are inconsistent.
  • Recommendation: Verify the bill’s official current status on the Illinois General Assembly website or the legislative clerk’s records due to conflicting procedural entries.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Expands the practical scope of armed authority for court security officers, including potential interstate carry benefits under LEOSA if state compliance requirements are met.
  • May require agencies to confirm training, qualification, or certification standards to satisfy state LEOSA implementation rules.
  • Could raise public-safety and municipal-policy considerations about armed personnel within municipal boundaries and in courthouses.

(References: amends 720 ILCS 5/24‑2 and 730 ILCS 125/26.1; cites federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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