Hurley Measure to Preserve Eyewitness Evidence Passes Out of Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In a unified effort with the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge No. 7, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is leading the fight on legislation that would allow police lineups to be video recorded, eliminating the necessity for an independent administrator.

“Eyewitness evidence is extremely valuable to law enforcement investigations,” said Hurley.  “This measure will help to preserve crucial eyewitness evidence by cutting administrative red tape, allowing police lineups to happen much more quickly, possibly before the witness forgets important details or chooses to be uncooperative.”

Hurley is leading the fight for House Bill 2763, which would eliminate the requirement to have an independent administrator conduct police lineups, by allowing lineups to be video recorded.  Currently, officers administering a lineup are not to have knowledge of which individual in the lineup is the suspect.  In practice, this rule leads to long delays as the officer working the case has to wait for another officer to conduct the lineup. 

“Current practice has many unintended consequences including unnecessary delays,” continued Hurley.  “This legislation will increase transparency and help to decrease attacks on the validity and credibility of eyewitness evidence in the court room.”

For more information, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.