Governor Signs Rep. Wait Bill to Increase Safety for Domestic Violence Victims

Springfield…Today, the Governor signed legislation co-sponsored by State Representative Ron Wait which will increase protection for victims of domestic violence.  Senate Bill 2719 will allow the courts to order GPS tracking for offenders who violate an order of protection.

“Heart-breaking domestic violence stories can be heard in small communities and large cities throughout the state.  We must take serious steps to reduce the potential for such violent crimes.  Illinois residents will now receive greater protection and sense of safety because of electronic surveillance,” Rep. Wait said.

The idea for GPS tracking of domestic violence offenders resulted from the untimely death of Cindy Bischof.  After taking every precaution in her power, Cindy was stalked and murdered by an ex-boyfriend. 

According to Rep. Wait, Cindy had done everything in her legal power including filing orders of protection, installing security cameras in her home and even wearing a panic button around her neck.

Rep. Wait co-sponsored House Bill 3038 which was approved in the House and has since been renamed Senate Bill 2719 or the Cindy Bischof Law.  The bill takes effect January 1 and also provides for court ordered risk assessment evaluations for orders of protection, develops protocol for implementation of domestic violence surveillance program and creates a Domestic Violence Surveillance Fund with fines attributed to order of protection violation convictions.

“GPS tracking is already used to monitor sex offenders.  When a stalker sends a clear signal they will strike again by violating an order of protection, the courts will now be ready and able to stop them in their tracks,” Rep. Wait said. 

According to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, one in twelve women and one in 45 men are stalked in their lifetime.  A recent survey showed that 28 percent of female victims and 10 percent of male victims obtained protective orders, but for 69 percent of those women and 81 percent of those men the protection order was violated. 

Rep. Wait has a track record of supporting legislation aimed at preventing domestic violence.  He also co-sponsored House Bill 5801 which would create a statewide domestic violence training system for the Illinois judiciary and House Bill 2862 which increases the penalty for unlawful purchase of a firearm used in domestic violence.

Senate Bill 2719 gives the court sole determination to decide whether the specific case warranted the need for GPS tracking, which would alert law enforcement and the victim if the offender was infringing on a safety zone.

“This technology will provide real-time information to ensure that an offender does not become too close to their target.  As responsible legislators, it’s important that we give Illinois residents the appropriate tools to keep themselves safe from harm’s way,” Rep. Wait said.