State Sen. Dan McConchie bill to create sexual assault evidence tracking system

Legislation to establish an Illinois State Police-administered sexual assault evidence tracking system made it out of committee on Wednesday and could see a Senate vote by Friday.

State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, introduced the bill, which was based off recommendations from the Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking and Reporting Commission.

This group of legislators, sexual assault organization representatives, law enforcement and state’s attorneys offered a number of recommendations, including the purchasing of an off-the-shelf electronic tracking system; the exploration of grant funding to assist with the initial purchase and implementation of the system; Freedom of Information Act exemptions for evidence and including, at minimum, data for the location, lab submission status, completion of forensic testing and storage of sexual assault evidence.

McConchie said in a statement that the bill is an important first step in providing transparency for victims, ensuring survivors are treated seriously and bringing more offenders to justice.

“Illinois currently lacks a uniform system across all law enforcement to track sexual assault evidence,” McConchie said. “No one who has been sexually assaulted should be left in the dark while the evidence is being processed. They deserve better respect than that.”

The full text of the bill is available on the Illinois General Assembly website.