AURORA, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to help protect victims of domestic violence, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is sponsoring a measure requiring suspects of violent crimes to be placed under electronic surveillance as a condition of their bail.
“Hundreds of men and women across Illinois experience domestic violence every year,” Kifowit said. “Unfortunately, most of these victims only have an order of protection against their abusers. This proposed legislation will provide victims an additional level of security.”
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House Bill 3744 requires a defendant being charged with a violent crime, to undergo a risk assessment evaluation by the Illinois Department of Human Services via court order. Based on the assessment results, a condition of bail would be to place the defendant under electronic surveillance. This can be implemented even if there is not an order of protection against the defendant. The violent crimes covered under this act include: felony domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery, kidnapping, aggravated kidnaping, unlawful restraint, aggravated unlawful restraint and an attempt to commit first degree murder.
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“According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in Illinois approximately 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. Allowing suspects to be placed under electronic surveillance gives law enforcement another tool to help protect victims,” Kifowit said. “I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in moving quickly to pass this important public safety measure.”
For more information, please contact Rep. Kifowit’s constituent service office at 630-585-1308, email Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net, or visit www.ILDistrict84.com.
