Several significant bills passed the Illinois House on Tuesday, addressing issues ranging from human trafficking to cosmetic safety and education.
Elimination of Statute of Limitations for Trafficking Cases
House Bill 2602, which eliminates the statute of limitations for cases of involuntary servitude and trafficking, has successfully passed the House. Currently, Illinois law restricts victims of involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking from pursuing prosecution for more than 25 years after turning 18. This new legislation allows victims to seek justice at any time.
Bill sponsor Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) emphasized the bill’s broader implications: “It isn’t just about putting an end to sexual assault. It’s about delivering justice to survivors and removing offenders from the streets.” She criticized the existing 25-year cap as a protective measure for human traffickers, stating they “don’t deserve peace of mind.” The bill passed unanimously.
Support for Sexual Assault Victims
Another unanimous bill, House Bill 2805, sponsored by House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), prohibits insurance companies from charging any deductibles, copays, or costs for examinations or testing of sexual assault victims, including rape kits. McCombie highlighted that while current law prevents charges for examinations, it does not address co-pays, effectively ensuring that victims are not further victimized.
Safety in Cosmetic Products
The House also approved House Bill 3409, which bans the manufacturing or sale of cosmetic products containing harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and mercury. Sponsored by Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago), the bill passed with a 69-38 vote. Harper stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of body products in Illinois, noting that many of the chemicals pose severe health risks. However, concerns were raised about the enforcement of the ban, with Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) labeling the bill as “toothless.”
Enhancing Dual Language Education
Finally, House Bill 3026, introduced by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview), aims to enable the Illinois State Board of Education to develop guidelines for implementing or expanding dual language educational programs. This bill follows a report from the Illinois Advisory Council for Bilingual Education that identified strategies to enhance dual language education. Rashid stated, “What HB 3026 does is implement some of those recommendations.” The bill allows schools to choose whether to adopt the guidelines and passed the House with a vote of 77-25.
Comments