Requires State to Pay Jail Costs for Delays
Illinois · HB5823 · Introduced Oct 15, 2026
Why it matters
Defendants found unfit for trial may wait in jail longer for mental health beds. Counties would pay less for jail stays if the state does not place people quickly.
What it does
- Requires the state to pay the sheriff for housing and mental health care after 20 days without placement
- Shortens the window for the state to notify the sheriff about bed availability from 60 to 45 days
- Removes the 60-day deadline to admit a defendant to a secure facility
- Removes the requirement that the state update the court every 30 days until placement
- Protects sheriffs from liability for problems after the 20th day
Introduced
Next: committee review
- Introduceddone
- Committeecurrent step
- Housenot yet
- Senatenot yet
- Governornot yet
About this bill
Would require the state to pay sheriffs for housing and mental health care when a court-ordered placement takes more than 20 days. Sheriffs would not be liable for problems after day 20.
CRIM PRO-TRANSPORT-TREATMENT
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Sheriffs and county groups would likely say the state should cover costs when it is slow to place defendants. Shorter deadlines would get people into treatment sooner.
💬 The case against
Mental health advocates would likely say removing the 60-day admission deadline could leave people waiting in jail. They may argue the bill sets no firm limit on waits.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
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