Bill Designed to Prevent Children from Having to Face Their Accusers in Court Passes Illinois Senate

The Illinois Senate has passed legislation that would allow child crime victims under the age of 13 to testify remotely in most cases.

St. Sen. Chapin Rose of Mahomet is a co-sponsor of the measure in the state senate.

(ROSE)

House Bill 2607 creates a legal mechanism to allow victims under the age of 13 to testify outside the courtroom, with the testimony shown in the courtroom via a closed circuit television system.

The legislation was inspired by constituents of Rose who were forced to take legal action to prevent their child from being required to testify against their abuser in court, rather than via closed circuit TV.

(NIEMERG)

St. Rep. Adam Niemerg of Dieterich is the House sponsor of the measure, which has now passed both houses of the General Assembly and goes to the governor for his signature.