Police Officers Bill of Rights

Illinois Compiled Statutes — Local Government
Uniform Peace Officers' Disciplinary Act • 50 ILCS 725

(50 ILCS 725/1)
Sec. 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Peace Officers' Disciplinary Act." (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/2)
Sec. 2. For the purposes of this Act, unless clearly required otherwise, the terms defined in this Section have the meaning ascribed herein:
(a) "Officer" means any peace officer, as defined by Section 2-13 of the Criminal Code of 1961, as now or hereafter amended, who is employed by any unit of local government or a State college or university, including supervisory and command personnel, and any pay-grade investigator for the Secretary of State as defined in Section 14-110 of the Illinois Pension Code, not including Secretary of State sergeants, lieutenants, commanders or investigator trainees. The term does not include crossing guards, parking enforcement personnel, traffic wardens or employees of any State's Attorney's office.
(b) "Informal inquiry" means a meeting by supervisory or command personnel with an officer upon whom an allegation of misconduct has come to the attention of such supervisory or command personnel, the purpose of which meeting is to mediate a citizen complaint or discuss the facts to determine whether a formal investigation should be commenced.
(c) "Formal investigation" means the process of investigation ordered by a commanding officer during which the questioning of an officer is intended to gather evidence of misconduct which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her removal, discharge or suspension in excess of 3 days.
(d) "Interrogation" means the questioning of an officer pursuant to the formal investigation procedures of the respective State agency or local governmental unit in connection with an alleged violation of such agency's or unit's rules which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her suspension, removal, or discharge. The term does not include questioning (1) as part of an informal inquiry or (2) relating to minor infractions of agency rules which may be noted on the officer's record but which may not in themselves result in removal, discharge or suspension in excess of 3 days.
(e) "Administrative proceeding" means any non-judicial hearing which is authorized to recommend, approve or order the suspension, removal, or discharge of an officer. (Source: P.A. 90-577, effective 1-1-99)

(50 ILCS 725/3)
Sec. 3. Whenever an officer is subjected to an interrogation within the meaning of this Act, the interrogation shall be conducted pursuant to Sections 3.1 through 3.11 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.1)
Sec. 3.1. The interrogation shall take place at the facility to which the investigating officer is assigned, or at the precinct or police facility which has jurisdiction over the place where the incident under investigation allegedly occurred, as designated by the investigating officer. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.2)
Sec. 3.2. No officer shall be subjected to interrogation without first being informed in writing of the nature of the investigation. If an administrative proceeding is instituted, the officer shall be informed beforehand of the names of all complainants. The information shall be sufficient as to reasonably apprise the officer of the nature of the investigation. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.3)
Sec. 3.3. All interrogations shall be conducted at a reasonable time of day. Whenever the nature of the alleged incident and operational requirements permit, interrogations shall be conducted during the time when the officer is on duty. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.4)
Sec. 3.4. The officer under investigation shall be informed of the name, rank and unit or command of the officer in charge of the investigation, the interrogators, and all persons present during any interrogation except at a public administrative proceeding. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.5)
Sec. 3.5. Interrogation sessions shall be of reasonable duration and shall permit the officer interrogated reasonable periods for rest and personal necessities. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.6)
Sec. 3.6. The officer being interrogated shall not be subjected to professional or personal abuse, including offensive language. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.7)
Sec. 3.7. A complete record of any interrogation shall be made, and a complete transcript or copy shall be made available to the officer under investigation without charge and without undue delay. Such record may be electronically recorded. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.8)
Sec. 3.8. No officer shall be interrogated without first being advised in writing that admissions made in the course of the interrogation may be used as evidence of misconduct or as the basis for charges seeking suspension, removal, or discharge; and without first being advised in writing that he or she has the right to counsel of his or her choosing who may be present to advise him or her at any stage of any interrogation. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.9)
Sec. 3.9. The officer under investigation shall have the right to be represented by counsel of his or her choosing and may request counsel at any time before or during interrogation. When such request for counsel is made, no interrogation shall proceed until reasonable time and opportunity are provided the officer to obtain counsel. If a collective bargaining agreement requires the presence of a representative of the collective bargaining unit during investigations, such representative shall be present during the interrogation, unless this requirement is waived by the officer being interrogated. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.10)
Sec. 3.10. Admissions or confessions obtained during the course of any interrogation not conducted in accordance with this Act may not be utilized in any subsequent disciplinary proceeding against the officer. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/3.11)
Sec. 3.11. In the course of any interrogation no officer shall be required to submit to a polygraph test, or any other test questioning by means of any chemical substance, except with the officer's express written consent. Refusal to submit to such tests shall not result in any disciplinary action nor shall such refusal be made part of his or her record. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/4)
Sec. 4. The rights of officers in disciplinary procedures set forth under this Act shall not diminish the rights and privileges of officers that are guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Illinois. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/5)
Sec. 5. This Act does not apply to any officer charged with violating any provisions of the Criminal Code of 1961, or any other federal, State, or local criminal law. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/6)
Sec. 6. The provisions of this Act apply only to the extent there is no collective bargaining agreement currently in effect dealing with the subject matter of this Act. (Source: P.A. 83-981)

(50 ILCS 725/7)
Sec. 7. No officer shall be discharged, disciplined, demoted, denied promotion or seniority, transferred, reassigned or otherwise discriminated against in regard to his or her employment, or be threatened with any such treatment as retaliation for or by reason of his or her exercise of the rights granted by this Act. (Source: P.A. 83-981)