IL HB5199

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 to give courts sole discretion to grant or deny continuance requests when the State petitions to deny a defendant pretrial release.

Establishes an absolute 72-hour maximum for pretrial detention when a continuance is granted on a detention hearing, prohibiting any continuance that would extend detention beyond this limit.

Requires courts to consider whether the requesting party took reasonable steps to appear within the initial timeframe and whether circumstances outside their control necessitate a continuance.

Applies to hearings on State petitions seeking to deny pretrial release for defendants charged with qualifying offenses including forcible felonies, stalking, domestic battery, and certain firearm offenses.