Costa Howard Measure to Protect Privacy of Sexual Assault Survivors Passes Illinois House Unanimously

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure sponsored by state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, that will protect the privacy rights of sexual assault and stalking survivors has passed out of the Illinois House unanimously.

“People who have lived through sexual assault and stalking deserve protection from their assailants, both in and out of the courtroom,” said Costa Howard. “I am proud to have passed this measure with such strong support, and I urge lawmakers in the state Senate and Governor Pritzker to approve this to increase Illinois’ protections for survivors.”

Address confidentiality keeps a victim’s address out of the public record, making that information accessible only to law enforcement or other government entities. Under current law, address confidentiality is limited to people who have been victims of domestic violence or who have credible fear for their own safety or the safety of their children.

House Bill 2818, which passed out of the House on Wednesday, expands the state’s Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence Act to include survivors of crimes such as sexual assault and stalking.

“This legislation closes a loophole and ensures that victims can appear in court without worrying that their assailants will show up on their doorsteps,” Costa Howard said. “Our legal system needs to support these brave people, preserve their privacy, and keep them and their families safe and secure. With House Bill 2818, we will be able to assure these survivors that public court records will not make their personal information available to the criminals who harmed them. I hope that the State Senate and Governor Pritzker will move quickly to approve this legislation and provide these survivors with the confidentiality and protection they deserve.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Costa Howard’s constituent service office at RepTCH48@gmail.com.