Canty Advances Measure to Protect Children from Exploitation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, recently advanced a measure to prevent children from sexual exploitation by groomers and other sexual predators
who target them for abuse.

“I’m deeply committed to working for the safety of people in our community, and protecting children and other vulnerable people from exploitation will always be a priority for me,” Canty said. “Streamlining safeguards against grooming and extending the statue of limitations on charging this heinous offense are important steps toward building a more secure Illinois for our kids to grow up in.”

Since her first days representing her community in Springfield, Canty has fought for the safety of her community. House Bill 2690 closes several small 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.

“These improvements represent important progress, but there is more work to do,” Canty said. “I will continue to consult with experts to identify places where we can work to bolster these protections. Our jobs as lawmakers aren’t done as long as even one person has to overcome the trauma of this terrible crime.”