Will County Gazette

Patrick Sheehan introduced HB3262 in the Illinois House on Feb. 7, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Children's Advocacy Center Act. Provides that a person charged with a criminal offense involving abuse or neglect of a child does not have standing to object to the failure to comply with the electronic recording requirement of a forensic interview. Provides that it is not a violation of the Act if a forensic interview is not recorded because: (1) the recording equipment malfunctions and the malfunction is not the result of a failure to maintain the equipment or provide adequate supplies for the equipment; or (2) due to circumstances that could not have been reasonably foreseen by the interviewer, the interviewer does not have the necessary recording equipment."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Children's Advocacy Center Act, specifically addressing the protocols around the electronic recording of forensic interviews in cases of child abuse or neglect. It establishes that consent is not necessary for recording these interviews and that failure to record does not invalidate the interview. It further clarifies that individuals charged with related criminal offenses cannot contest the lack of electronic recording. Recorded interviews and transcripts are deemed confidential, limited to specific legal proceedings, and are not subject to public access under the Freedom of Information Act, unless directed by a court's protective order. The bill states that non-compliance with recording is not a violation if equipment malfunctions occur without maintenance neglect or if unforeseen circumstances prevent the presence of necessary equipment.

Patrick Sheehan has proposed another five bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Patrick Sheehan is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 37th House District. He replaced previous state representative Tim Ozinga in 2024.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB3262	02/07/2025	Amends the Children's Advocacy Center Act. Provides that a person charged with a criminal offense involving abuse or neglect of a child does not have standing to object to the failure to comply with the electronic recording requirement of a forensic interview. Provides that it is not a violation of the Act if a forensic interview is not recorded because: (1) the recording equipment malfunctions and the malfunction is not the result of a failure to maintain the equipment or provide adequate supplies for the equipment; or (2) due to circumstances that could not have been reasonably foreseen by the interviewer, the interviewer does not have the necessary recording equipment.
HB3406	02/07/2025	Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that any vessel or watercraft, vehicle, or aircraft is subject to forfeiture if the vessel or watercraft, vehicle, or aircraft is used with the knowledge and consent of the owner in the commission of or in the attempt to commit the offense of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer.
HB3542	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any person who participates in street racing or a street sideshow, including as a spectator, where 10 or more people are present shall be guilty of a petty offense.
HB3206	02/06/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases the penalty for fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony, and, for a third or subsequent violation, from a Class 4 felony to a Class 3 felony.
HB2660	02/04/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in all counties, any change in assessment resulting from reassessment in the general assessment year shall not exceed the lesser of the following: (1) 3% of the assessed value of the property for the prior year; or (2) the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the assessment year. Provides that the limitation does not apply if the increase in assessment is attributable to an addition, improvement, or modification to the property. Preempts the power of home rule units to tax. Effective immediately.
HB1938	01/29/2025	Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that the term "governmental unit" does not include a fire protection districts established under the Fire Protection District Act.
HB1634	01/23/2025	Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each individual who (i) serves as a first responder for at least 10 months during the taxable year and (ii) incurs unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $250 per eligible taxpayer. Sets forth limitations on the aggregate amount of credits that may be awarded under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
HB1104	01/09/2025	Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that a governmental unit may form a committee (rather than must form a committee) to study local efficiencies and report recommendations regarding efficiencies and increased accountability to the county board in which the governmental unit is located.