IL SB1414

Reinstates death penalty in Illinois by eliminating the abolition provision and restores sentencing to death as an authorized disposition for first degree murder convictions.

Narrows aggravating factors for death penalty eligibility by eliminating 16 of the previously existing 20 aggravating circumstances, retaining only murder of peace officers/emergency personnel, multiple murders, and murder under 12 years old with brutal/heinous behavior.

Creates Capital Crimes Litigation Act of 2017 establishing Capital Litigation Trust Fund to provide funding for prosecution and defense of capital cases, including compensation for appointed trial counsel at up to $125 per hour and expenses for investigators, expert witnesses, and mitigation specialists.

Requires State Appellate Defender to provide legal assistance, expert witnesses, investigators, and mitigation specialists to trial counsel in capital cases from appropriated funds, but prohibits the State Appellate Defender Office from serving as trial counsel.

Adds decertification provisions allowing courts to remove cases from capital status if conviction rests solely on uncorroborated informant testimony or single eyewitness/accomplice testimony without corroboration.