Hurley Sponsors Legislation to Help Locate Missing Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is sponsoring legislation that would help law enforcement quickly locate missing persons living with developmental or intellectual disabilities who are believed to be at risk.

“Adults who are mentally impaired are particularly vulnerable because they can easily lose track of where they are,” said Hurley. “This legislation ensures that sufficient procedures are in place to immediately notify police when a disabled individual goes missing so that he or she can be quickly reunited with family members.”

Hurley is the chief House sponsor of Senate Bill 2265, which establishes certain protections for lost individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities so that they can be specially recognized on the Illinois State Police’s Endangered Missing Persons Advisory (EMPA). Similar to the Amber Alert program for abducted children, the EMPA exists to provide a regional system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a high-risk missing person.

“Not knowing the whereabouts of a loved one can be a very scary situation, and the potential dangers are amplified when that person is living with a developmental disability,” said Hurley. “To protect the safety of our most vulnerable residents, it’s critical that law enforcement is equipped to respond immediately to these missing person cases.”

For more information, please contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128.