Illinois Attorney General Wants to End Statue of Limitations on Sex Crimes

WJBD
April 27, 2016

http://www.wjbdradio.com/LocalNews/Illinois-Attorney-General-Wants-to-End-Statue-of-Limitations-on-Sex-Crimes#.VySusFaLS01

The Illinois attorney general is calling on state legislators to eliminate the statute of limitations for child sex crimes in the wake of former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert's sentencing.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault issued a statement Wednesday, the day Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in a federal hush-money case. He pleaded guilty to breaking banking law while trying to pay someone millions to conceal sexual abuse.

Prosecutors contend the abuse occurred while Hastert was a teacher and wrestling coach decades ago, but too much time had passed to bring charges for the abuse.

The statement didn't specifically mention Hastert, but says cases are especially difficult when the perpetrator is in a position of trust, "like a teacher or coach." The statement says removing the statute of limitations on felony criminal sexual assault and sexual abuse crimes against children allows time for people to come forward.