SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, passed legislation out of the Illinois House on Wednesday that would eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecuting dangerous predators who sexually assault children.
"There should not be a statute of limitations for heinous crimes, like sexual assault of a child, especially when they prevent victims from getting the justice they deserve,” Smiddy said. "This legislation will provide prosecutors with another tool for getting these dangerous sexual predators out of our communities and away from our children.”
Smiddy is the lead sponsor on House Bill 1127, which eliminates the statute of limitations for criminal sexual assault and abuse of a child. Smiddy passed the measure to ensure survivors of these heinous crimes do not get denied justice, and to address the case of former Congressman Dennis Hastert, who recently was sentenced to prison for financial crimes he committed to conceal sexual abuse of several young athletes he coached decades ago. While he admitted to this misconduct, he could not be charged for those crimes because the statute of limitations had long passed.
In 2014, former Gov. Quinn signed legislation eliminating the statute of limitations for civil law suits that allow victims to sue offender for monetary damages. Smiddy’s measure would eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution as well.
“Victims of sexual assault have to live the rest of their lives dealing with their traumatic experience, so it only makes sense that the predators who commit these crimes should not be let off the hook so easily,” Smiddy said.
“When a prosecutor cannot indict an offender for heinous crimes against children because the statute of limitations has run, it raises serious questions,” Attorney General Lisa Madigan said. “I urge the Legislature to eliminate the statute of limitations on sex crimes involving children.”
The bill removes the statute of limitations for sexual assault or abuse of a child that occurs on or after January 1, 2017. The bill passed committee and the Illinois House with bipartisan support and now awaits consideration in the Senate.
(submitted by Paul Ferrero)
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