Senate Committee explores removing statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases

The Senate Criminal Law Committee met Oct. 4 in Chicago to hear testimony and discuss legislative proposals on removing the statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes. Illinois’ current law says sexual abuse against a child must be reported and prosecuted within 20 years of the victim turning 18 years old.

There are currently four proposals pending in the General Assembly that would remove the statute of limitations from felony child sexual abuse crimes. More than 30 states have no statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases.

Senators heard powerful testimony from victims who suffered sexual abuse as a minor and who now as adults are advocating for a change in Illinois law, so abusers don’t go unpunished do to the passage of time.

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