SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III supported a new law that will improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations.

“Every missing person deserves to be found,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “This law improves how police search for missing persons and makes sure they use every tool available. It helps families get answers because our communities should never be overlooked.”

Senate Bill 24 eliminates any law enforcement policy requiring the observance of a waiting period before accepting a missing persons report. The new law also requires information from a missing persons report to be immediately entered into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System upon reception of a report. Under the measure, law enforcement agencies must adopt a strategy regarding missing persons investigations, reporting and follow-up action.

If a person remains missing for 60 days, law enforcement agencies are required to obtain and enter their photographs, fingerprint records and dental or skeletal radiographs, and biological samples into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. The bill requires law enforcement to keep missing persons cases under active investigation until the person is located and returned or law enforcement cannot close a case due to exhaustion of leads.

Previously, law enforcement agencies were required to review and utilize criminal databases to find a missing or unidentified person. However, if someone has not gone through the criminal justice system, law enforcement would not be able to identify them using these databases. The new measure will close this gap by requiring police to use other databases that could be helpful in locating missing persons, like the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

Senate Bill 24 was signed into law Aug. 15 and takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.