SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Following a stressful year that saw more people calling domestic violence hotlines, Governor Pritzker signed seven bills into law Friday with the goal of protecting victims and preventing more abuse.
“Every difficult choice and obstacle we eliminate for victims of domestic violence unlocks an opportunity for them to prioritize their safety,” said Governor JB Pritzker, in a statement. “While our work to make Illinois a safer and more compassionate state for survivors is not done, I am heartened by the steps we have taken today.”
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said more than 43,000 adults in Illinois have been victims of domestic abuse.
"And while domestic violence has impacted all races and ethnicities, Black, and LatinX, and Hispanic residents are overrepresented in people seeking domestic violence services in our state," she said.
State Senator Celina Villanueva added that last year saw even more people experiencing problems at home.
"Last year alone, nearly 30,000 people called into the Illinois Domestic Violence hotline for help. And about 15 percent of all homicides were connected to domestic violence," Villanueva said.
House Bill 3582 expands the Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) to provide economic security and safety for more survivors of violent crime.
With VESSA, survivors may take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid time off during any 12-month period. Employers must make reasonable accommodations in the workplace and are prohibited from discrimination in terms of hiring, firing, income, promotion, harassment and retaliation against VESSA-qualifying employees.
In addition to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and gender violence, the provisions of the Act now apply to victims and family members of victims of crimes of violence. HB 3582 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.
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House Bill 3223 provides a number of new trauma-informed support and protection measures for K-12 students who are survivors of sexual abuse or gender-based violence, parents and expectant parents. The bill seeks to ensure students of all ages can stay in school, stay safe, and complete their education through a variety of provisions. HB 3223 takes effect on July 1, 2025.
"It allows excused absences related to students surviving violence, being pregnant, or parenting," said Elgin State Representative Anna Moeller. "It ensures that one staff member at each school can help students and connect them to the resources that they need to get help and healing."
House Bill 3484 allows a party in divorce proceedings to request that the opposing party pay an allowance for an initial retainer fee to hire an attorney as a form of interim fees. It will help people with limited incomes receive equitable counsel. HB 3483 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.
House Bill 3485 allows the Illinois Supreme Court to implement a program to issue Hope Cards to petitioners of a plenary order of protection. Illinois currently does not have a Hope Card program, which exists so that survivors of domestic violence can display essential protection order data in a concise and easy-to-read card format. HB 3485 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
House Bill 3317 creates the Domestic Violence Taskforce Act, also known as Colton’s Taskforce. It’s named after Colton Miller, an 18-month-old boy, who was tragically killed in 2019 by his father during in a domestic violence incident. Colton’s mother Cassandra Tanner-Miller worked to get this legislation passed in honor of her late son. Colton’s Taskforce will conduct a comprehensive review of processes, operations and enforcement of domestic violence laws in the state, identify gaps and develop recommendations to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence, while holding offenders accountable. HB 3317 takes effect immediately.
"Colton's father broke into their home and looked Cassandra and her daughter in their eyes and asked if they were ready to die that day. Cassandra swears she saw the devil," said State Representative David Welter.
Senate Bill 685 creates the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission under ICJIA with the goal of reducing domestic violence fatalities. It also aims to address disparate practices with the systems that interact with victims, survivors and offenders. The 20-member statewide committee will meet at least quarterly and produce a biannual report for the General Assembly. SB 685 takes effect immediately.
Senate Bill 920 creates the Illinois Forensic Science Commission in Illinois. The commission will include the voice of victims of crime and all stakeholders in the justice system, a recommendation of the Illinois State Police and the Governor’s Task Force on Forensic Science. By taking a strong systems-based approach, Illinois will begin to address backlogs, improve communication and streamline coordination among stakeholders in the industry. SB 920 takes effect immediately.
The seven new laws signed Friday build on the actions the Pritzker administration has taken to help reduce the number of obstacles victims face – including strengthening FOID card enforcements to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, allowing for the omission of survivors’ addresses from court filings, and investing an additional $1.2 million into Illinois’ statewide network of domestic violence services early on in the pandemic.
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