(a) When authorized by law a prosecution may be commenced by:
         (1) A complaint;

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Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 725 ILCS 5/111-1

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • individual: shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.36
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14

         (2) An information;
         (3) An indictment.
     (b) Upon commencement of a prosecution for a violation of § 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, or Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to the offense of reckless homicide, the victims of these offenses shall have all the rights under this Section as they do in § 4 of the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act.
     For the purposes of this Section “victim” shall mean an individual who has suffered personal injury as a result of the commission of a violation of § 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, or Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to the offense of reckless homicide. In regard to a violation of Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to the offense of reckless homicide, “victim” shall also include, but not be limited to, spouse, guardian, parent, or other family member.
     (c) Upon arrest after commencement of a prosecution for a sex offense against a person known to be an employee, the State‘s Attorney shall immediately provide the superintendent of schools or school administrator that employs the employee with a copy of the complaint, information, or indictment.
     For the purposes of this subsection: “employee” has the meaning provided in subsection (a) of Section 24-5 of the School Code; and “sex offense” has the meaning provided in § 2 of the Sex Offender Registration Act.
     This subsection shall not be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of an employee under a collective bargaining agreement or employment contract.