Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Makes legislative findings. Creates the court reminder program. Requires that the circuit clerk provide a defendant with notice by text message of all court hearings to defendants who have been charged with a violation of the Criminal Code of 2012 or the Illinois Vehicle Code as follows: provide at least 2 text notices before each court appearance with one notice the day before the required court appearance; maintain a copy of the content and a delivery receipt as part of the records of the clerk's office; and for court appearances that can be attended virtually, provide the link to the virtual court appearance in at least the final reminder sent before the appearance. Makes the Act inapplicable if a circuit clerk does not have the needed information from a defendant to send a text message notification. Requires that the circuit clerk must take all reasonable actions to get the needed information to provide reminders and to coordinate with law enforcement and the courts in that effort. Allows the circuit clerk to use an existing electronic notice provisions developed under the Clerks of the Courts Act or developed under Supreme Court Rule as long as those programs comply with the new requirements of the amendatory Act. Authorizes the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to adopt rules to further implement the Act.
House Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Pretrial Services Act. Provides that the pretrial services agency may require supervised persons to periodically report by letter, telephone, or in person to verify compliance with court-ordered pretrial release conditions. Requires the pretrial services agency to provide written notification of court appearance obligations to all persons under pretrial services supervision or charged with a felony offense with at least 2 text notices before each court appearance with one notice the day before the required court appearance. Requires that the pretrial services agency maintain a copy of the content of the message and a delivery receipt as part of its records. Provides that the new provisions do not apply if a pretrial services agency does not have the information needed from a defendant to send a text message notification to the defendant. Requires that the pretrial services agency must take all reasonable actions to get the information to send a text notification and to coordinate with law enforcement and the courts in that effort.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Pretrial Services Act. Provides that the pretrial services agency may require supervised persons to periodically report by letter, telephone, or in person to verify compliance with court-ordered pretrial release conditions. Provides that each pretrial services agency must provide written notification of court appearance obligations to all persons under pretrial services supervision as follows: (1) the agency shall provide at least 3 text notices to the defendant before each court appearance with one notice the day before the required court appearance; (2) the agency shall provide at least one text message to the defendant if the defendant misses a court appearance; and (3) a copy of the content of the message and a delivery receipt shall be maintained as part of the Agency records. Provides that this does not apply if the agency does not have the information needed from a defendant to send a text message notification to the defendant or if the defendant has opted out of text message reminders. Provides that the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services shall conduct a system analysis regarding the existence, utilization, and practices of court date notification systems within the circuit courts. Provides that the analysis shall also include a review of existing research on the effectiveness of notification methods, cadences and language. Provides that the analysis shall also include a review of the availability and practicality of notification systems to circuit courts. Provides that the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services shall report its analysis and findings to the General Assembly, Governor, and Supreme Court no later than December 31, 2026, with the goal of supporting additional legislative changes in 2027. Effective immediately.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of Senate Amendment No. 1. Deletes the provision that the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services shall assist local pretrial services with pretrial supervision at the request of the Chief Judge. Effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 705 ILCS 105/12, 725 ILCS 5/103
Engrossed: 725 ILCS 185/25
Enrolled: 725 ILCS 185/0, 725 ILCS 185/25