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Sunday, November 17, 2024

Gov. Pritzker Applauds Nation-Leading Legislation to Strengthen Illinois' Response to Military Sexual Violence

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In a nation-leading effort to protect survivors of military sexual  violence and hold perpetrators accountable, the Illinois National Guard  worked closely with State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz  (D-Chicago) and State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora) to  introduce legislation that will strengthen the state's response to  military sexual violence. 

SB 257 will extend the authority of  military protection orders beyond military locations, ensuring survivors  receive their full protection no matter where they are and that  perpetrators can be held accountable for violations. The legislation  also provides survivors with additional employment protections as they  recover. 

"Here in Illinois, we stand with survivors and are committed to ensuring our laws provide justice," said Governor JB Pritzker.  "With this bill, our state will lead the nation in keeping survivors of  military sexual assault safe and ensuring they receive compassion and  support as they recover. I applaud Leader Munoz and Representative  Kifowit for putting this legislation forward and I urge the General  Assembly to take it up as soon as possible."

Military protection  orders are issued by military tribunals to protect survivors of military  sexual or domestic violence from the alleged perpetrator of that  violence by restricting the alleged perpetrator's contact with the  survivor. Similar to a civilian protection order, a violation of the  order could result in criminal charges and is enforceable by military  law enforcement. However, a military protection order's authority ends  at the gate of a military installation and does not apply to military  reservists or National Guard members who are not on federal military  orders. 

Senate Bill 257 will allow military legal authorities to  file military protection orders with Illinois courts and will, under  state law, give those orders the same authority as a civilian protection  order issued by a circuit court within Illinois. The language will also  give local and state police the authority to enforce the military  protection order within Illinois.

"As a U.S. Army veteran, I'm  proud to introduce legislation that will help the military fight sexual  and domestic violence within its ranks and protect its Soldiers, Airmen,  Marines and Sailors who serve within Illinois," said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago). "This  legislation will also help facilitate communication between the  military and civilian law enforcement and help both protect our service  members."

"I am a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and as a woman  who has served, I am also acutely aware of the struggles the military  has faced addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment within its  ranks," said State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora). "This  legislation gives both the military and the state another tool to combat  this problem. It is an honor to sponsor this legislation in the House."

"I believe this legislation will become a national model for other states to adopt," said Major General Neely.  "I'm proud to work with the Governor and our State Legislature to  introduce legislation that will help us address sexual assault and  sexual harassment within the U.S. military and the Illinois National  Guard and more effectively protect our service members."

The  legislation also extends Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act  (VESSA) protections to victims of military sexual violence. 

Under  VESSA, employees who are victims of violence or who have family or  household members who are victims of violence to take up to 12 weeks of  unpaid leave per any 12-month period to seek medical help, legal  assistance, counseling, safety planning, and other assistance. The  amendment also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees  who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who  are victims of violence. 

The proposed change to state law was  identified by the Governor's Office and a working group within the  Illinois National Guard chaired by Major General Rich Neely, the  Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National  Guard.  

The proposed law change was brought to the working group  by Colonel Sarah Smith, the Staff Judge Advocate of the Illinois Army  National Guard and a Madison County Circuit Court Judge in her civilian  life. Smith worked with the Governor's Office and legislators on the  language of the proposed changes.

"The military has a lot of work  to do in the prevention of and response to military sexual assault, but I  am truly encouraged by the progress being made here in Illinois and  within the Illinois National Guard," said Colonel Smith.

The  Illinois Attorney General's office administers Illinois' Crime Victims  Compensation Program, which allows survivors of violent crimes and their  families to seek reimbursement for expenses related to a violent crime,  such as lost wages or medical bills. These benefits are available to  survivors, including military sexual assault survivors, whose insurance  does not cover therapy sessions or who must take off work to seek  treatment for the physical or mental trauma resulting from their  assault. Information about the Crime Victims Compensation Program is  available on the Attorney General's website.  

Addressing  sexual assault and sexual harassment within the Illinois National Guard  has been a top priority for Major General Neely since he was appointed  by Governor Pritzker in February 2019. He has enacted multiple internal  changes within the Illinois National Guard and advocated for reforms at  the national level including a recent change in the U.S. military that  treats sexual harassment as a crime. 

In addition to the working  group, the Illinois National Guard has established a task force, led by  Brigadier General Justin Osberg, the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General -  Army of the Illinois National Guard and a corporate change agent in his  civilian career.

The task force is focused on the problems of  sexual assault and sexual harassment; racism and issues of diversity and  inclusion; and service member suicide within the Illinois National  Guard.

Original source can be found here.

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