CRIM PRO-SPECIAL ADVOCATES House SponsorsRep. Rita Mayfield-Dagmara Avelar and Anne Stava-Murray 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die 725 ILCS 5/Art. 113A heading new725 ILCS 5/113A-1 new Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed attorney-at-law of the State or a law student authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711 as a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog. Provides that the advocate may: (1) monitor the case; (2) consult any person with information that could aid the court and review records relating to the condition of the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but not limited to, records from animal control officers, veterinarians, and police officers; (3) attend hearings; and (4) present information or recommendations to the court pertinent to determinations that relate to the interests of justice, provided that information shall be based solely on the duties undertaken under this provision. 1/17/2023HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Daniel Didech 1/31/2023HouseFirst Reading 1/31/2023HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/7/2023HouseAssigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee 2/16/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar 2/23/2023HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Daniel Didech 2/23/2023HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 2/28/2023HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee 3/2/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava-Murray 3/10/2023HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 3/10/2023HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 2/7/2024HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield 3/27/2024HouseRemove Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield 3/27/2024HouseChief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Rita Mayfield 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die