Manley Urges Governor to Sign Law to Track Testing of Sexual Assault Kits

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is calling on Gov. Rauner to sign legislation establishing a statewide commission to ensure that all evidence in sexual assault cases are being tested in a timely manner.

“When only approximately 34 percent of instances of sexual violence get reported to the police, you know more needs to be done to increase reporting,” Manley said. “In recent years, legislators have worked to address this issue by passing legislation to increase training for first responders treating victims of sexual assault, require police to file reports of sexual assault, regardless of the jurisdiction, and improve the timeline for evidence testing. This legislation goes a step further by making sure the reforms that were put in place are working and to see if additional reforms are needed.”

Manley co-sponsored House Bill 528, which creates the Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking and Reporting Commission. This commission will be comprised of elected officials, law enforcement officers, states’ attorneys and advocates who will develop a plan to track reports and evidence from sexual assaults. The commission is also asked to report to the General Assembly with recommended changes to policy to reduce sexual assault and increase reporting.

“In order to get more members of our community to report sexual violence, they need to feel that reports that get made are taken seriously and are quickly and thoroughly investigated,” Manley said. “This legislation will help us track how law enforcement is doing and what improvements can be made, which is why it is important for Gov. Rauner to quickly sign this legislation into law.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.