HB4987 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 17720 AJT 33085 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB4987

Introduced 1/21/2010, by Rep. Thomas Holbrook

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

610 ILCS 80/2

from Ch. 114, par. 98

Amends the Railroad Police Act. Requires allegations of abuse of authority or misconduct by members of a railroad police force to be investigated by the Illinois State Police.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Railroad Police Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(610 ILCS 80/2) (from Ch. 114, par. 98)

Sec. 2. Conductors of all railroad trains, and the captain or master of any boat carrying passengers within the jurisdiction of this state, is vested with police powers while on duty on their respective trains and boats, and may wear an appropriate badge indicative of such authority.

In the policing of its properties any registered rail carrier, as defined in Section 18c-7201 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, may provide for the appointment and maintenance of such police force as it may find necessary and practicable to aid and supplement the police forces of any municipality in the protection of its property and the protection of the persons and property of its passengers and employees, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes for which such railroad was organized. While engaged in the conduct of their employment, the members of such railroad police force have and may exercise like police powers as those conferred upon any peace officer employed by a law enforcement agency of this State.

Any registered rail carrier that appoints and maintains a police force shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Establish an internal policy that includes procedures to ensure objective oversight in addressing allegations of abuse of authority or other misconduct on the part of its police officers.

(2) Adopt appropriate policies and guidelines for employee investigations by police officers. These policies and guidelines shall provide for initiating employee investigations only under the following conditions:

(A) There is reason to believe criminal misconduct has occurred.

(B) In response to an employee accident.

(C) There is reason to believe that the interview of an employee could result in workplace violence.

(D) There is a legitimate concern for the personal safety of one or more employees.

These policies and guidelines shall provide for the right of an employee to request a representative to be present during any interview concerning a non-criminal matter.

(3) File copies of the policies and guidelines adopted under paragraphs (1) and (2) with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, which shall make them available for public inspection. The Board shall review the policies and guidelines, and approve them if they comply with the Act.

(4) Appeal of a rail carrier's decision. A person adversely affected or aggrieved by a decision of a rail carrier's internal investigation under this Act may appeal the decision to the Illinois State Police. The appeal shall be filed no later than 90 days after the issuance of the decision. The State Police shall review the depth, completeness, and objectivity of the rail carrier's investigation, and may conduct its own investigation of the complaint. The State Police may uphold, overturn, or modify the rail carrier's decision by filing a report of its findings and recommendations with the Illinois Commerce Commission. Consistent with authority under Chapter 18C of the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Commission rules of practice, the Commission shall have the power to conduct evidentiary hearings, make findings, and issue and enforce orders, including sanctions under Section 18c-1704 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Rulemaking authority to implement this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, if any, is conditioned on the rules being adopted in accordance with all provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and all rules and procedures of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; any purported rule not so adopted, for whatever reason, is unauthorized.

Allegations of abuse of authority or misconduct by members of a railroad police force authorized under this Section to exercise police powers shall be investigated by the Illinois State Police.

(Source: P.A. 94-846, eff. 1-1-07; 95-1010, eff. 6-1-09.)