Canty Passes Measure Strengthening Protections Against Sexual Exploitation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A measure streamlining and strengthening laws preventing sexual exploitation of minors, spearheaded by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, recently passed the House with strong bipartisan support.

“Our current laws protecting children and other vulnerable people from exploitation need to be stronger,” said Canty. “This measure will shore up loopholes for disgusting crimes like grooming, which puts too many of our kids at risk. We are taking an essential step to making Illinois a safer place to live and raise a family.”

House Bill 2458 requires a number of technical changes to various Illinois laws against sexual exploitation and grooming. It also upgrades grooming from a class 4 to a class 3 felony, offenses that are more likely to be prosecuted. The bill has the support of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and it passed with strong bipartisan support and will soon be heard in the Senate.

“Making sure our children grow up happy and safe will always be a priority for me,” Canty said. “This measure is a great steps towards guaranteeing that safety, but we have a lot more progress to make.”