(725 ILCS 115/1)

(from Ch. 38, par. 1351)

Sec. 1.

Short title.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the

Bill of Rights for Children.

(Source: P.A. 86‑862.)

(725 ILCS 115/2)

(from Ch. 38, par. 1352)

Sec. 2.

Purposes.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure the fair and compassionate treatment of children involved in the criminal justice system by affording certain basic rights and considerations to these children.

(Source: P.A. 86‑862.)

(725 ILCS 115/3)

(from Ch. 38, par. 1353)

Sec. 3.

Rights to present child impact statement.

(a) In any case where a defendant has been convicted of a violent crime involving a child or a juvenile has been adjudicated a delinquent for any offense defined in Sections 12‑13 through 12‑16 of the Criminal Code of 1961, except those in which both parties have agreed to the imposition of a specific sentence, and a parent or legal guardian of the child involved is present in the courtroom at the time of the sentencing or the disposition hearing, the parent or legal guardian upon his or her request shall have the right to address the court regarding the impact which the defendant's criminal conduct or the juvenile's delinquent conduct has had upon the child. If the parent or legal guardian chooses to exercise this right, the impact statement must have been prepared in writing in conjunction with the Office of the State's Attorney prior to the initial hearing or sentencing, before it can be presented orally at the sentencing hearing. The court shall consider any statements made by the parent or legal guardian, along with all other appropriate factors in determining the sentence of the defendant or disposition of such juvenile.

(b) The crime victim has the right to prepare a victim impact statement and present it to the office of the State's Attorney at any time during the proceedings.

(c) This Section shall apply to any child victims of any offense defined in Sections 12‑13 through 12‑16 of the Criminal Code of 1961 during any dispositional hearing under Section 5‑705 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 which takes place pursuant to an adjudication of delinquency for any such offense.

(Source: P.A. 90‑590, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

(725 ILCS 115/4)

(from Ch. 38, par. 1354)

Sec. 4.

This Act does not limit any rights or responsibilities otherwise enjoyed by or imposed upon victims or witnesses of violent crime, nor does it grant any person a cause of action for damages. Nothing in this Act creates a basis for vacating a conviction or a ground for appellate relief in any criminal case. Failure of the crime victim to receive notice as required, however, shall not deprive the court of the power to act regarding the proceeding before it; nor shall any such failure grant the defendant the right to seek a continuance.

(Source: P.A. 88‑489.)