Legislation Would Make Illinois First in Nation to Mandate Submitting Evidence in Sexual Assault Cas

[ccharles000]

Chicago — Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced new legislation that would make Illinois the first state in the nation to mandate the submission of sexual assault evidence for testing in response to mounting concerns that law enforcement agencies aren’t automatically submitting physical evidence for inclusion in sexual assault investigations.

“Women who are victims of rape put their trust in authorities to bring their offenders to justice. When evidence that is so painstakingly collected sits untested, stored away on police departments’ shelves, that trust is violated. This mandate must be put in place to assure rape victims that their cases will be effectively prosecuted and their offenders put behind bars,” Madigan said. “This legislation will put Illinois at the forefront of this issue and help bring about justice for victims.”

The legislation, which is sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-40th) and Rep. Emily McCasey (D-85th), would require all evidence of sexual assault to be submitted by the investigating law enforcement agency within 10 days of receiving it from the hospital. If the bill is passed, it also would require all law enforcement agencies to provide Illinois State Police with an inventory of all untested kits in their possession.

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2010_02/20100209.html

[Lasher]

1. It's shocking to realize this legislation was needed.

If this isn't a basic part of a law enforcement agency's job, then I don't know what is.

[dmr]

2. That was my first reaction. Not doing so violates a trust that

this horrible crime would be investigated to the best of their ability.

Kudos to Illinois. I hope it passes.

[niyad]

3. wasn't there supposed to be money available to test all the backlogged rape kits in the country--or

was that just CA?

and am I correct in remembering that dear ole' gov. iquitarod tried to pass a law requiring rape victims to pay for the testing of the kits?