Rep. Mautino Backs Bill Expanding Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse

Trine Tsouderos
March 5, 2015

http://newstrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=27&ArticleID=42552

State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) is backing legislation to protect victims of sexual abuse by expanding prosecutors’ ability to file charges against alleged rapists.

“Sexual assaults are hideous crimes that can leave victims traumatized for the rest for their lives. Their emotional pain is made worse when their attackers can’t even be arrested and held accountable,” Mautino said in a press release this week.

“Victims must be given every opportunity to see their attackers brought to justice.”

The measure calls for lengthening the statute of limitations in rape cases. Currently, the statute of limitations begins once the crime is committed. Under the bill Mautino supports, the clock on the statute of limitations would not begin until the evidence from the rape is collected, transmitted and analyzed by the state police.

The bill stems from concerns that rape kits may not be tested quickly enough or even lost and not tested at all, as in the case of Rosa Pickett of south suburban Robbins. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Pickett was beaten and raped in 1977, but evidence of the crime was lost, and the statute of limitations on the crime ran out and no charges were filed.

Adding to supporters’ concerns is that in recent years, the number of untested rape kits in Illinois has been as high as 4,000.

House Bill 369 awaits assignment to a House committee for consideration by lawmakers.