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SB 1485

SEIZURE & FORFEITURE REPORT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Omar Aquino and 1 co-sponsor

Expands Illinois seizure/forfeiture reporting; ISP must collect, publish annual agency-level and statewide data on seizures, forfeitures, and expenditures to boost transparency.

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
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Bill Summary · SB 1485

SB 1485 — Seizure & Forfeiture Report (Illinois) — Summary

Status: Introduced (1/31/2025 by Sen. Omar Aquino); co‑sponsor added: Sen. Rachel Ventura (9/24/2025)
Statutory basis: Amends Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act (5 ILCS 810/10)

Purpose

To expand and standardize reporting requirements for property seizures and forfeitures by Illinois law enforcement agencies; increase public and legislative transparency about seizures, forfeiture proceedings, and the use of forfeiture proceeds; and require the Illinois State Police (ISP) to collect, aggregate, publish, and submit detailed annual data.

Key provisions and changes

  • Reporting requirement: Each law enforcement agency that seizes, forfeits, or receives forfeiture proceeds must report specified information to the Illinois State Police no later than 60 days after December 31 of the year in which the property was seized or forfeited. Agencies that did not seize, forfeit, receive, or spend forfeiture funds must file a null report.
  • Expanded seizure data to be reported (from existing law enforcement records), including:
    • Seizing agency name (or lead agency for task forces), date and location of seizure, type and estimated value of property (for vehicles: make/model/year/VIN/serial number).
    • Accused person’s self‑reported race, sex, age, and residential ZIP code.
    • Citation(s) to statutory authority under which the property was seized and the accused arrested.
  • Expanded forfeiture data (from court records), including:
    • Criminal case number/court (if any) and outcome of criminal case (charges filed/dropped; plea; acquittal; conviction).
    • Forfeiture case number and court/venue.
    • Whether owner/interested parties filed claims (verified claim, innocent owner motions, substantial hardship motions, fee waivers).
    • Outcome of forfeiture action (settlement, judgment, default, hearing result) and date of final forfeiture order.
  • Filing mechanics: The reporting requirement is satisfied by filing Illinois State Police Form 4‑64 (Notice/Inventory of Seized Property) with the county State’s Attorney or Attorney General (as applicable) and notifying ISP’s Asset Forfeiture Section. For seizures where Form 4‑64 is not required, agencies may meet reporting by an annual summary report by the 60‑day deadline.
  • Annual aggregate reporting and publication:
    • Agency-level aggregate summaries of seizures/forfeitures and proceeds, and categorized expenditures (examples: investigation/litigation, software, hardware, appliances, canines, surveillance technology, IMSI catchers, operating/admin expenses).
    • ISP must post agency‑level aggregate data on its website.
    • Within 120 days after each calendar year ends, ISP must submit and post a statewide written report to the General Assembly, Attorney General, and Governor summarizing seizures, forfeitures, and categorized expenditures at state and local levels; ISP may include recommendations.
  • Implementation date: ISP required to establish and implement the Act’s requirements on or before January 1, 2026 (updates an earlier date).

Who is affected

  • Law enforcement agencies across Illinois (local, county, state, task forces) — reporting duties and possible administrative burden.
  • County State’s Attorneys and Illinois Attorney General — receive filings and interact with ISP processes.
  • Illinois State Police — responsible for collecting data, publishing agency‑level aggregates, and preparing statewide annual summaries.
  • Accused persons, property owners, and members of the public — increased transparency about seizures, forfeiture litigation, outcomes, and how forfeiture funds are used.

Procedural/timeline highlights

  • Agency reports and null reports due annually no later than 60 days after December 31 of the reporting year.
  • ISP statewide report and website posting due within 120 days after each calendar year.
  • ISP to implement requirements by January 1, 2026.

Potential impacts (practical effect)

  • Greater transparency and standardized data on seizures, forfeitures, and fund expenditures—useful for legislative oversight, public accountability, and research.
  • Additional administrative and record‑keeping obligations for law enforcement agencies and ISP.
  • More detailed public records may highlight patterns by geography and demographic categories (race, age, sex, ZIP code), informing policy discussions.

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

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