WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1628

SEIZURE & FORFEITURE REPORT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Carol Ammons and 25 co-sponsors

Illinois requires law enforcement to annually report civil asset seizure data including property values, offense types, and demographics to improve transparency and accountability starting January 2026.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0194
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1628

Legislative bill overview

HB 1628 requires Illinois law enforcement agencies to submit annual reports on civil asset seizure and forfeiture activities to the state. The bill mandates standardized data collection including the value of seized property, types of offenses involved, demographic information about affected individuals, and outcomes of forfeiture proceedings. This transparency measure became effective January 1, 2026, as Public Act 104-0194.

Why is this important

Civil asset forfeiture—where law enforcement can seize property suspected of involvement in crimes without criminal conviction—has drawn criticism for generating revenue for police departments and disproportionately affecting certain communities. This reporting requirement creates public accountability by making seizure patterns visible and measurable, enabling legislators, advocates, and communities to identify potential abuse or disparities in enforcement practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden: Law enforcement agencies may face compliance costs and staffing needs to compile comprehensive data, which some departments argue diverts resources from public safety
  • Privacy concerns: Demographic data collection could raise questions about how individual-level forfeiture information is stored, protected, and potentially misused
  • Limited enforcement mechanism: The bill doesn't specify penalties for non-compliance or inadequate reporting, potentially reducing its effectiveness if agencies provide incomplete or inconsistent data

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

Sign in to ask a question.