Illinois Sen. Halpin’s criminal records integration bill passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Sen. Michael W. Halpin aims to expand pretrial services agencies’ roles in maintaining complete and accurate Illinois State Police criminal records following approval in both chambers, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 72 Democrats and 36 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 38 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Halpin introduced the bill in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 5, 2026 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as SB3545, was passed on May 21, 2026 during the general assembly session 104.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill’s official text as follows: “Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that, with the approval of the Illinois State Police, pretrial services agencies may furnish fingerprints, charges, and descriptions to the Illinois State Police in the same manner as agencies making arrests. Amends the Pretrial Services Act. Provides that pretrial services agencies shall collaborate with the policing bodies of this State, the clerks of the circuit court, the sheriffs, and the State’s Attorneys to assist in maintaining complete and accurate criminal records of the Illinois State Police.”

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 Criminal Identification Act and the Pretrial Services Act to more fully integrate pretrial services agencies into the state’s criminal record system. It authorizes pretrial services agencies, with Illinois State Police approval, to submit fingerprints, charges and descriptions of individuals in the same manner as arresting agencies. It also requires these agencies to collaborate with law enforcement, circuit court clerks, sheriffs and state’s attorneys to help maintain complete and accurate Illinois State Police criminal records. The bill does not specify a separate effective date beyond those in existing referenced public acts.

The bill was sponsored only by Rep. Gregg Johnson (Democrat-72nd District).

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.

Halpin graduated from Roger Williams University in 2001 with a BA and again in 2008 from University of Illinois with a JD.

Halpin, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 36th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Neil Anderson.

Lawmakers listed as “Not Voting” were present for the vote but did not cast a vote. Those marked as having an “Excused Absence” were not present and formally provided a reason for their absence, which was accepted.