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SB 1854

HOMOCIDE INVESTIGATOR TRAINING

104th Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Belt

Expands required death/homicide investigation training to include DOC internal security investigators and binds lead cases to completion or approved waiver.

Referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1854

SB 1854 — Homicide Investigator Training (2025)

Main purpose

SB 1854 amends Section 10.11 of the Illinois Police Training Act (50 ILCS 705/10.11) to require that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board (ILETSB) conduct or approve a standardized training program in death and homicide investigation that applies to both local law enforcement officers and Department of Corrections (DOC) internal security investigators. Only officers and investigators who successfully complete (or receive an approved waiver from) the program may be assigned as lead investigators in death and homicide investigations.

Key provisions

  • Adds DOC internal security investigators to the group eligible for ILETSB-approved death and homicide investigation training (previous law referenced law enforcement officers only).
  • Requires ILETSB to conduct or approve a training program in death and homicide investigation and to issue certificates evidencing satisfactory completion.
  • Restricts assignment as lead investigator in death/homicide cases to those who have completed the program or obtained a waiver.
  • Directs the ILETSB to develop a waiver process for applications submitted by a local governmental agency administrator or the DOC for officers/investigators whose prior training/experience may qualify them for a waiver.
  • Authorizes the ILETSB to grant waivers at its discretion, based solely on prior training and experience as a homicide investigator.
  • Confirms the change does not affect coroner authority to investigate deaths under the Counties Code and Coroner Training Board Act.

Who is affected

  • Local law enforcement agencies and their officers (training and assignment practices).
  • Illinois Department of Corrections internal security investigators (training eligibility and lead-investigator assignment).
  • Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board (development, approval, certification, and waiver administration).
  • Coroners and their offices (statutory investigative authority preserved).

Potential impacts

  • Standardizes minimum training for lead homicide investigators across local agencies and DOC internal investigators.
  • May require agencies/individuals to obtain new training or apply for waivers based on prior experience.
  • Could impose training costs and administrative workload on ILETSB, DOC, and local agencies.
  • Clarifies but does not change coroner investigative jurisdiction.

Legislative status / timeline

  • Introduced by Sen. Christopher Belt (filed 02/06/2025; received by Secretary of the Senate 03/04/2025).
  • Referred to Assignments; first reading 02/06/2025; read 03/17/2025 and referred to Economic Development.
  • Committee activity: hearings and votes in April 2025; reported favorably without amendments 04/28/2025 and recommended for the local & uncontested calendar.
  • Placed on, then removed from, the local & uncontested calendar (May 2025). As of latest entries, the bill remains pending.

Statutory reference

Amends 50 ILCS 705/10.11 (Illinois Police Training Act).

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

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