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HB 4428

COURT REMINDER NOTICES

104th Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Cassidy and 2 co-sponsors

Illinois courts must send reminder notices to defendants before court dates to reduce no-shows and improve judicial efficiency.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0551
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Bill Summary · HB 4428

Legislative bill overview

HB 4428 would require Illinois courts to send reminder notices to defendants before scheduled court appearances. The bill establishes a mandate for courts to contact defendants (via mail, phone, email, or text) a specified number of days before their court date to reduce no-shows.

Why is this important

High rates of failure to appear (FTA) in court create significant problems: cases get delayed, bench warrants are issued, jail populations increase, and the judicial system becomes less efficient. Reminder notices are a low-cost intervention that numerous jurisdictions have shown can reduce no-show rates by 10-30%, improving court operations and reducing unnecessary incarceration.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Courts would need resources to develop notification systems and maintain accurate contact information for defendants, which could strain already-limited judicial budgets
  • Equity concerns: Effectiveness depends on defendants having reliable phone numbers and addresses; homeless or highly mobile populations may not benefit equally
  • Scope and clarity: The bill's language (currently at first reading) likely needs clarification on which types of cases require notices, timeline requirements, and consequences if courts fail to send them

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

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