IL SB3796

Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act to require local public entities to provide indemnification for judgments, settlements, and legal defense costs upon employee request for employment-related claims.

Employees may retain legal representation of their choice and the local public entity must pay all reasonable attorney's fees and costs associated with the defense.

Indemnification applies only when: (1) the employee's action was on behalf of the local public entity; (2) litigation was not initiated by the local public entity, state, or federal government and does not involve criminal defense; and (3) litigation was not initiated by the employee.

Reasonable attorney's fees are determined by reference to rates paid by the local public entity to its attorneys or by the court in which the action lies.

Removes discretionary language allowing local entities to "elect" to defend, indemnify, or settle claims, replacing it with mandatory indemnification requirements upon employee request.