Legislation supported by state Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, closing a loophole that allowed disgraced former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert to avoid prosecution for sex crimes he committed decades ago was recently signed into law.
“The traumatic experience of sexual assault and rape is something a victim will carry for the rest of his or her live, especially a minor who is still developing physically and mentally,” said Willis. “We must fight to protect our children and ensure justice on their behalf by doing away with limitations on prosecuting these horrific crimes.”
Willis supported Senate Bill 189, which removes the statute of limitations on various sex crimes against children including sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and predatory criminal sexual assault. The measure would allow law enforcement to bring charges at any time when survivors come forward or evidence is discovered. Willis’s efforts are necessary as survivors of rape and sexual abuse are often reluctant or unable to report the crime because they are afraid of a negative reaction from their parents or of being harmed by the abuser.
“Too many times, sexual offenders are able to escape accountability of their actions because enough time passes when the victims are scared to come forward,” Willis said. “No one who commits the worst possible offenses against children should ever escape punishment.”
