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HB 5750

BALLISTICS DETECTION/IMAGING

104th Regular Session Introduced by Rita Mayfield

HB5750 expands use of NIBIN and ballistic imaging, requires rapid data entry and cross-agency sharing, and creates grant funding for equipment to boost ballistic forensics in Illin

Referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 5750

Summary of HB5750 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Bill at a Glance

  • Short title: Ballistics Detection/Imaging
  • Sponsor: Rep. Rita Mayfield
  • Introduced: April 22, 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Illinois, Criminal Code of 2012
  • Status: Introduced; referred to Rules Committee

1) Purpose and Intent

HB5750 amends the Criminal Code to enhance firearm tracing, ballistics analysis, and ballistic imaging capabilities in Illinois. A central goal is to improve investigative tools and interagency data sharing for firearms used in crime by establishing a formal grant program to support ballistics detection and imaging infrastructure and operations.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Expanded Use of NIBIN and Ballistics Imaging

  • The bill requires law enforcement to submit recovered or related evidence to the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) or an Illinois State Police (ISP) laboratory for NIBIN processing.
  • It applies to:
    • Firearms recovered when unlawfully possessed, used for unlawful purposes, recovered from crime scenes, or believed to be connected to crime.
    • Semiautomatic firearms deemed suitable for NIBIN entry that are unlawfully possessed, used unlawfully, recovered, or discarded/abandoned.
  • When feasible, NIBIN entries (evidence and test fires) must be entered within 2 business days of submission to ISP laboratories with NIBIN access or another NIBIN site. Exceptions may occur if other forensic analyses are needed.
  • For ISP laboratories without NIBIN access, evidence must be submitted to a NIBIN-capable ISP laboratory, and, upon receipt, entered into NIBIN within 2 business days when practicable. Exceptions possible for other forensic analyses.
  • The bill reinforces consistency with federal standards and BATFE/NIBIN site policies.

B. Enhanced Firearm Tracing and Data Sharing

  • Law enforcement shall use:
    • The National Tracing Center's eTrace platform (or successor) for sharing firearm trace reports among Illinois law enforcement on a reciprocal basis.
    • The National Tracing Center’s data-sharing program to facilitate cross-agency trace data sharing.

C. LEADS Gun File Use

  • Agencies must enter all stolen, seized, or recovered firearms into the Illinois LEADS Gun File per LEADS regulations and policies.

D. Grant Program for Ballistics Detection/Imaging

  • ISP shall enter into an agreement for a grant program focused on ballistics detection and imaging through a partnership with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (IACOP).
  • IACOP, contingent on appropriation, will make grants available to state and local police agencies for:
    • Purchase, expansion, and maintenance of equipment and services that support NIBIN and other ballistic imaging technology.
  • Grant payments may be made via:
    • Advance payment
    • Reimbursement
    • Working capital advance
    • All subject to IACOP approval and compliance with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) standards.
  • Allowable grant costs for IACOP include:
    • Managing, tracking, documenting, reporting, and processing grant funds.

3) Who/What is Affected

  • Law enforcement agencies in Illinois: Required to submit relevant firearm evidence to NIBIN; enter data into LEADS Gun File; participate in eTrace data sharing.
  • ISP (Illinois State Police): Responsible for processing NIBIN evidence, facilitating the grant program, and coordinating with IACOP.
  • Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (IACOP): Monitored as the grant administrator, subject to appropriation, providing grants to agencies and managing grant-related operations under GATA standards.
  • State and local police agencies: Potential beneficiaries of grants to acquire or upgrade ballistics imaging and related equipment.

4) Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • A two-business-day target is established for entering NIBIN evidence and test fires, where practicable, with exceptions for other required forensic analyses.
  • The bill ties grant administration to GATA standards, emphasizing transparency, reporting, and accountability in grant funds.
  • Provisions are contingent on appropriation for the grant program (i.e., funding must be allocated in the state budget).

5) Potential Impacts

  • Strengthened cross-agency collaboration on firearm tracing and ballistic imaging.
  • Faster processing and sharing of ballistics evidence, potentially improving crime-solving rates.
  • Increased availability of funding for agencies to acquire NIBIN-compatible equipment and services, subject to appropriation.
  • Greater standardization of data sharing via eTrace and LEADS Gun File, enhancing interoperability across jurisdictions.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a checklist for agencies on implementation steps.

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

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