HB4753 Summary: Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act

• Creates the Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act allowing designated family members to request case file reviews of open unresolved murders (deaths occurring more than 3 years prior with exhausted investigative leads and no identified perpetrator).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to conduct case file reviews within 6 months of application and initiate full reinvestigations if reviews conclude probative leads are possible; reviewers cannot have previously investigated the case (except in counties under 35,000 residents).

• Mandates each agency employ or designate family liaison officers at a minimum ratio of 1 officer per 40 homicides, with duties including victim support, investigation assistance, periodic family contact (at least every 30 days initially), and case file tracking.

• Requires family liaison officers receive training on trauma-informed, victim-centered investigation and establishes they cannot be assigned to patrol or other duties while designated to homicide cases.

• Directs the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to collect and annually publish statistics on open unresolved murders beginning 3 years after enactment, broken down by degree, weapon type, location, and agency, plus data on review requests, reinvestigations, and outcomes including victim demographics.