HB0277 - COURTS-TECH

12 Co-Sponsors

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, whenever a person fails to appear in court and the court continues the case, if the clerk of the court elects to establish a system to send text, email, and telephone notifications, the clerk of the court may send notifications to an email address, may send a text message to the person's last known cellular telephone number, and if the person does not have a cellular telephone number, may reach the person at the person's last known landline telephone number regarding the continued court date. Deletes a provision that requires a court to enter an order of failure to appear if a person does not appear in court on or before the continued court date or satisfy the court that the person's appearance in and surrender to the court is impossible for no fault of the person. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Deletes language providing that an offender who defaults in the payment of a fine or any installment of that fine may be held in contempt and imprisoned for nonpayment and that the court may issue a summons for his or her appearance or a warrant of arrest.