Bill to strengthen Illinois’ DNA Database goes to Governor’s Desk

 

 

Springfield, IL ─ Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan applauded the Illinois Senate for passing a bill to strengthen the state’s DNA database. House Bill 3238, which was sponsored by Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) and Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), will now go to the governor for approval. The bill requires all registered sex offenders to provide a DNA specimen and calls for collecting DNA of people arrested for the most serious violent crimes after they are indicted or after a court finding of probable cause.

“This bill will make the state’s DNA database an even stronger tool for law enforcement to investigate violent crimes but will also help to exonerate those who are wrongfully convicted,” Madigan said.

According to the bill, all sex offenders who are required to register with local law enforcement must provide a DNA specimen – regardless of their conviction date or the state in which the offender was convicted. The bill also calls for collecting DNA when someone is indicted or there is a finding of probable cause in the following violent crimes:

·         First Degree murder

·         Home Invasion

·         Predatory criminal sexual assault

·         Aggravated criminal sexual assault

·         Criminal sexual assault

In addition, the legislation would authorize the Illinois State Police to expunge a DNA profile upon court order.

Attorney General Madigan has long been committed to improving the state’s DNA database. In 2008, she created the Illinois DNA Accountability Project (IDAP) to undertake a first-of-its-kind assessment of the state DNA database to identify gaps in the system. Today’s legislation is one result of that initiative.