PFA Guidelines

Subcommittee Purpose

The purpose of the PFA Guidelines Subcommittee is to develop a model process, guidelines, and related resources for counties to use to implement the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Subcommittee Activities

To accomplish its purpose, this subcommittee will conduct the following activities:

1. Prepare a model system map that illustrates how the system “should” work based on the PFA and taking into consideration the Commission’s report.
2. Prepare guidelines that explain how pretrial decision making should occur under the PFA (e.g., what are the components of a pretrial detention hearing, under the PFA).
3. Identify where new court rules or forms are needed to provide guidance to the counties.
4. Develop documents that are designed to advise counties on the steps they can take to implement the PFA.
5. Identify the most challenging parts of the PFA and develop guidance for counties to consider when starting to implement the PFA.
6. Liaise with the PFA Pilot Sites Subcommittee and hear what challenges are facing the pilot sites; revise any documents or guidance accordingly.
7. Liaise with the Education Subcommittee to ensure that any training materials align with the guidance prepared by this subcommittee.

PFA Pilot Sites

Subcommittee Purpose

The purpose of the Pilot Sites Subcommittee is to identify and provide technical assistance to two (2) to three (3) sites to support their implementation of the PFA, and to share their tools, templates and experience with other jurisdictions so that all Illinois counties are prepared to fully implement the provisions of the PFA in advance of the 1/1/23 effective date.

Subcommittee Activities

To accomplish its purpose, this subcommittee will conduct the following activities:

1. Identify pilot sites via engagement with cross-disciplinary local stakeholders and community members
2. Work with the sites to develop and implement plans that incorporate the input of cross-disciplinary local stakeholders and community members and have clearly defined goals and objectives
3. Serve in a supportive advisory role to the sites as they conduct planning and implementation
4. Develop baseline measures and support sites’ data collection efforts to determine the impact of the pilot project in partnership with the Guidelines subcommittee
5. Create and implement a forum to support statewide sharing of tools, processes and lessons learned from pilot sites

Education

Subcommittee Purpose

The Education Subcommittee shall develop a comprehensive Education Plan (Plan) to support the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA) effective January 1, 2023.

Subcommittee Activities

To accomplish its purpose, this subcommittee will conduct the following activities:

1. Develop a comprehensive education plan to identify the following and sustain continuing education post PFA implementation.
2. Identify overall educational goals.
3. Identify the Stakeholders, including the community.
4. Determine the educational needs of each Stakeholder group.
5. Develop a comprehensive PFA curriculum.
6. Design courses consistent with Stakeholder need and overall educational goal.
7. Identify presenters.
8. Develop a calendar of PFA programs and course presentations.
9. Collaborate with the Task Force Guidelines, Assessment and Communication Subcommittees, to ensure educational content, materials and resources align.
10.   Coordinate with OSPS on PFA related education content, materials and resources.

Communications

Subcommittee Purpose

The purpose of the Communications Subcommittee is to develop a plan and resources to educate diverse internal and external audiences about the PFA—including the legal and evidence-based practices that will support successful implementation of the law—and the AOIC’s plans for PFA implementation.

Subcommittee Activities

To accomplish its purpose, this subcommittee will conduct the following activities:

1. Prepare a strategic communications plan for both internal and external audiences that the Task Force can discuss and approve.
          a. Create a public webpage that covers the basics of the PFA, explainers, and news coverage; this would be geared towards public, media, legislators.
2. Identify and recruit spokespeople from varied constituencies, including stakeholder agencies, advocacy groups, and the community.
3. Create documents (e.g., issue briefs, policy summaries, talking points) that are designed to:
          a. help the public understand the changes underway as the PFA is implemented
          b. provide clear, accurate, and up-to-date guidance to those speaking publicly (or internally) about PFA implementation
4. Coordinate with the Education Subcommittee and PFA Guidelines Subcommittee to ensure consistency in content and messaging.

Legislation

Subcommittee Purpose

Review pretrial-related legislation for possible improvements and clarity.

Pretrial Assessment Tools

Subcommittee Purpose

The purpose of the Pretrial Assessment Tools subcommittee is to develop and approve guidelines for scoring and using assessment tools related to the Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA).

Subcommittee Activities

To accomplish its purpose, this subcommittee will conduct the following activities:

1. Review the sections of PFA about the use of pretrial assessment tools
2. Identify existing pretrial services professionals within Illinois and outside of Illinois to serve as advisors to the subcommittee, as necessary
3. Develop processes and clearly defined instructions on scoring the three approved tools in use across Illinois (ORAS, VPRAI-R, PSA)
4. Represent the Taskforce on the JSP Steering Committee for the development of a statewide tool
5. Identify potential research questions or measures that may need to be forwarded to the AOIC (OSPS) data team
6. Defining willful vs. non-willful flight - Potential cross over with PFA Guidelines