Yingling Highlights New Resource for Sexual Assault Survivors

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – To provide support to victims of violent crimes, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, supported legislation expanding the amount of information provided to sexual assault survivors regarding the recently-created online sexual assault evidence tracking system.

“Survivors of sexual assault deserve to know that their case is being taken seriously and not being pushed aside,” said Yingling. “Providing information to survivors regarding the online evidence tracking system will ensure they know that law enforcement is properly handling their evidence in a timely manner.”

Last year, the Illinois State Police created the CheckPoint system, an online evidence tracking system allowing survivors to check the progress of their evidence. To ensure survivors are aware of this critical system, Yingling voted in favor of the bipartisan House Bill 1739, which was recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker. The legislation requires health care providers and law enforcement officers to notify survivors who they collect evidence from about the tracking system.

Throughout his time in the General Assembly, Yingling has worked to provide resources to survivors of violent crimes. This session, he supported legislation allowing civil, no-contact orders against defendants convicted of a sex crime to become permanent. He also has hosted a supply drive for domestic violence shelters to provide immediate resources to local survivors.

“It is unacceptable that survivors recover from traumatic situations without any support,” said Yingling. “While we have made progress, there is still much more that needs to be done, and I will continue to work to ensure no one is left behind after being the victim of a violent crime.”