Hurley-Backed Measure to Remove Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations Now Law

CHICAGO – To support survivors of sexual violence and to provide law enforcement with adequate time to bring perpetrators to justice, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, recently supported a new law to remove the statute of limitations for sexual assault, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

“The statute of limitations previously in place on sexual assault hindered police’s ability to investigate crimes and made it difficult for prosecutors to take legal action against offenders,” said Hurley. “This new law gives survivors the time they need to process and report a crime and law enforcement the time they need to fully investigate and bring violent criminals to justice.”

Hurley sponsored House Bill 2135, which makes changes to the state criminal code regarding prosecution of sex crimes. The previous statute of limitations on prosecution of sexual assault was within 10 years of the crime, only if the victim reported the crime within three years. Under this new law, a prosecution for charges of sexual assault, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated sexual abuse, can happen at any time, no matter how much time has passed. Hurley’s measure took effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

“It sometimes takes survivors time to decide to come forward. Survivors of sexual assault and other forms of violence have experienced profound trauma and need support without fear that their assailant will walk free because time has run out,” continued Hurley. “I hope this new law encourages more survivors to come forward to hold their attacker accountable, as it provides a pathway for survivors to seek justice no matter how much time has passed since they were assaulted.” 

For more information, reach out to Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.