Wallace Measure to Require Independent Investigations of Police Misconduct Heads to House Floor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, that would require independent investigations to review cases of alleged sexual assault from a member of law enforcement passed committee this week and now heads to the House floor for consideration.
"It's critically important for law enforcement to have a transparent, accountable relationship with the public it serves," Wallace said. "Unfortunately there have been incidents around the country and around our state in which that trust was violated. This measure aims to prevent such incidents from happening here in Rockford and across Illinois."
House Bill 270 would create the Law Enforcement Sexual Assault Investigation Act. The bill states that allegations of sexual assault by a police officer while performing his or her duties shall immediately be reported to the police officer's supervisor. After reporting the allegations to the proper supervisor, an independent law enforcement agency shall conduct a formal investigation of the allegations. After the investigation, the agency will make recommendations to the State's Attorney and police officer's supervisor.
"This bill has the support of the Illinois Police Association and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault," Wallace said. "This is a common sense way we can show the public that our state takes the issue of sexual assault seriously, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it out of the House."
For more information, please contact Wallace's constituent service office at 815-987-7433 or at litesa@staterepwallace.com.
###