Illinois § 17

Full text of Illinois Illinois Compiled Statutes § 17, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 17.

Bedding, clothing, fuel, and medical aid; reimbursement for medical expenses. The Warden of the jail shall furnish necessary bedding, clothing, fuel, and medical services for all committed persons under his charge, and keep an accurate account of the same. When services that result in qualified medical expenses are required by any person held in custody, the county, private hospital, physician or any public agency which provides such services shall be entitled to obtain reimbursement from the county for the cost of such services. The county board of a county may adopt an ordinance or resolution providing for reimbursement for the cost of those services at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' rates for medical assistance. To the extent that such person is reasonably able to pay for such care, including reimbursement from any insurance program or from other medical benefit programs available to such person, he or she shall reimburse the county or arresting authority. If such person has already been determined eligible for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code at the time the person is detained, the cost of such services, to the extent such cost exceeds $500, shall be reimbursed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services under that Code. A reimbursement under any public or private program authorized by this Section shall be paid to the county or arresting authority to the same extent as would have been obtained had the services been rendered in a non-custodial environment. The sheriff or his or her designee may cause an application for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code to be completed for an arrestee who is a hospital inpatient. If such arrestee is determined eligible, he or she shall receive medical assistance under the Code for hospital inpatient services only. An arresting authority shall be responsible for any qualified medical expenses relating to the arrestee until such time as the arrestee is placed in the custody of the sheriff. However, the arresting authority shall not be so responsible if the arrest was made pursuant to a request by the sheriff. When medical expenses are required by any person held in custody, the county shall be entitled to obtain reimbursement from the County Jail Medical Costs Fund to the extent moneys are available from the Fund. To the extent that the person is reasonably able to pay for that care, including reimbursement from any insurance program or from other medical benefit programs available to the person, he or she shall reimburse the county. For the purposes of this Section, "arresting authority" means a unit of local government, other than a county, which employs peace officers and whose peace officers have made the arrest of a person. For the purposes of this Section, "qualified medical expenses" include medical and hospital services but do not include (i) expenses incurred for medical care or treatment provided to a person on account of a self-inflicted injury incurred prior to or in the course of an arrest, (ii) expenses incurred for medical care or treatment provided to a person on account of a health condition of that person which existed prior to the time of his or her arrest, or (iii) expenses for hospital inpatient services for arrestees enrolled for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. (Source: P.A. 103-745, eff. 1-1-25.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-27) Sec. 17. Bedding, clothing, fuel, and medical aid; reimbursement for medical expenses. The Warden of the jail shall furnish necessary bedding, clothing, fuel, and medical services for all committed persons under his charge, and keep an accurate account of the same. When services that result in qualified medical expenses are required by any person held in custody, the county, private hospital, physician or any public agency which provides such services shall be entitled to obtain reimbursement from the county for the cost of such services. The county board of a county may adopt an ordinance or resolution providing for reimbursement for the cost of those services at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' rates for medical assistance. To the extent that such person is reasonably able to pay for such care, including reimbursement from any insurance program or from other medical benefit programs available to such person, he or she shall reimburse the county or arresting authority. If such person has already been determined eligible for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code at the time the person is detained, the cost of such services, to the extent such cost exceeds $500, shall be reimbursed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services under that Code. A reimbursement under any public or private program authorized by this Section shall be paid to the county or arresting authority to the same extent as would have been obtained had the services been rendered in a non-custodial environment. The sheriff or his or her designee may cause an application for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code to be completed for an arrestee who is a hospital inpatient. If such arrestee is determined eligible, he or she shall receive medical assistance under the Code for hospital inpatient services only. An arresting authority shall be responsible for any qualified medical expenses relating to the arrestee until such time as the arrestee is placed in the custody of the sheriff. However, the arresting authority shall not be so responsible if the arrest was made pursuant to a request by the sheriff. When medical expenses are required by any person held in custody, the county shall be entitled to obtain reimbursement from the County Jail Medical Costs Fund to the extent moneys are available from the Fund. To the extent that the person is reasonably able to pay for that care, including reimbursement from any insurance program or from other medical benefit programs available to the person, he or she shall reimburse the county. For the purposes of this Section, "arresting authority" means a unit of local government, other than a county, which employs peace officers and whose peace officers have made the arrest of a person. For the purposes of this Section, "qualified medical expenses" include medical and hospital services but do not include (i) expenses incurred for medical care or treatment provided to a person on account of a self-inflicted injury incurred prior to or in the course of an arrest, (ii) expenses incurred for medical care or treatment provided to a person on account of a health condition of that person which existed prior to the time of his or her arrest, or (iii) expenses for hospital inpatient services for arrestees enrolled for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. If a jail or a unit of local government operating the jail has a contract with a pharmacy benefit manager or a contract with an insurance company, health maintenance organization, limited health service organization, administrative services organization, or any other managed care organization or health insurance issuer where a pharmacy benefit manager administers coverage of, payment for, or formulary design for drugs necessary to safeguard the life or health of any person in custody, that contract and the pharmacy benefit manager's activities shall be subject to Article XXXIIB of the Illinois Insurance Code and the authority of the Director of Insurance to enforce those provisions. The jail or unit of local government shall have all the rights of a plan sponsor under those provisions. (Source: P.A. 103-745, eff. 1-1-25; 104-27, eff. 1-1-26.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois § 17

What does Illinois Compiled Statutes § 17 cover?

Section 17 is part of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the codified statutory law of Illinois. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Illinois § 17?

A common citation format is "Illinois Compiled Statutes § 17" (Illinois). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Illinois law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Illinois official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Illinois attorney.

How does Illinois § 17 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Illinois can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Illinois.