SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) has announced the recent unanimous passage of two pieces of criminal justice system-related legislation through two House Committees.

HB 2390 would prevent disabled retired police officers that have reached the age of 60 from being recalled to work. Under current law, a police officer on disability can be recalled to duty at any age. Windhorst says the bill will prevent a deputy sheriff or police officer who is retired for disability and is 60 years old or older from being recalled to service in any capacity. The bill passed the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee last week with unanimous support.

“We must do everything that we can to express our appreciation to police officers and sheriffs that have served our communities for years, sacrificing their lives and putting their bodies on the line,” Windhorst said. “We should not be forcing anyone that has been disabled and even if they are now recovered, to return to the very dangerous work that police officers do after the age of 60. I appreciate our police, and if someone wishes to return to work, they still could. But my legislation would prevent the mandatory recall of these retired officers back into service.”

HB 1434 changes the Juvenile Court Act to allow the admissibility of certified hospital or public or private agency records in adjudicatory hearings on abused, neglected, or dependent minors. Windhorst says similar legislation passed the House in the previous General Assembly but did not advance through the Senate.

“The sad fact is that minors are abused and neglected and medical records are often needed to prove that abuse and neglect. Current Illinois law unnecessarily restricts the admissibility of medical records in Illinois juvenile court hearings,” Windhorst said. “My bill will protect private information while loosening restrictions on admissibility of the medical records for those hearings.”