Canty Public Safety Measure Combating Sexual Exploitation Signed into Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A measure carried by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, to protect children from sexual exploitation by groomers and other sexual predators was just signed into law.

“Keeping our kids safe is a priority for me, especially when it comes to crimes as harmful as those involving sexual exploitation,” Canty said. “This measure is progress towards eliminating this threat, but it’s just one step. I plan to do more to provide a comprehensive legal framework to make sure no child has to go through something so traumatic.”

Since her first days in Springfield, Canty has fought for the safety of her community. House Bill 2690 closes several loopholes in the technical legal framework for charging the crime of grooming, while increasing penalties and lengthening the statute of limitations to charge the crime. In cases of child abuse, survivors often don’t come forward until later in life, and short statutes of limitations often result in offenses not being charged.

“Experiencing one of these terrible crimes will follow a child for their entire life,” Canty said. “An expanded definition of this behavior, removing a statute of limitations for charges to be filed, and penalty enhancements for those found guilty will hopefully crack down on such traumatic experiences.”