Hurley measure to protect victims of stalking and domestic violence sent to governor

In an effort to expand protections for survivors of domestic violence, stalking and other crimes, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, passed legislation to ensure timely enforcement of emergency no contact orders.

“Currently, it is a possibility that emergency no contact orders issued in the evening or on a court holiday may not be handed over to law enforcement until the next business day,” said Hurley.

“This creates a dangerous situation for individuals that need immediate protection.”

Hurley sponsored House Bill 3396, which amends the state’s Stalking No Contact Order Act. Currently, if a court issues an emergency stalking no contact order on a court holiday or evening, the clerk of the court can choose to wait until the next business day to file the order with a law enforcement agency.

Hurley’s measure, which was backed by the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, will require the court to file a certified copy of the order with the sheriff or other relevant law enforcement officials immediately. Hurley passed House Bill 3396 with unanimous bipartisan support in the Illinois House and Senate, and her legislation has been sent to Gov. J.B. Prtizker for consideration.

“This legislation is commonsense, and expands protections for survivors by closing a potentially dangerous loophole that currently exists in state law,” Hurley said.

“I urge the governor to sign this measure when it reaches his desk to help protect vulnerable women and children.”

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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