Sangamon Sun

Illinois state Sen. Steve McClure (R-Jacksonville) is hailing a new law that passed with bipartisan support as a step forward for victim’s rights in Illinois.

House Bill 3584 made changes to the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Specifically, it allows crime victims to register with the Prisoner Review Board, and to be able to submit testimony for or against the parole of criminals who have harmed them in the past. 

Most importantly, these victim-impact statements will be confidential, and cannot be released for public review or to the prisoner’s legal team. The testimony is even protected from being released through litigation.  

Gov. J.B. Pritzker | twitter.com/jbpritzker

McClure, who was formerly a prosecuting attorney, says that keeping the testimony confidential is a vital component of the legislation.

“It allows [victims] to say what they want to say without the fear of retribution or fear for their personal safety," McClure said. "It’s really important."

McClure said that over the course of his career as a prosecutor, he watched as many victims refused to testify against the criminals who harmed them, for fear of retribution. 

“Time after time . . . they wouldn’t show up," he said. "So much of that is driven by fear. This is a nice step in the right direction to allow victims to be in an environment where they don’t have to fear any more.”

McClure said that safety for the victim is the most important aspect of the criminal justice system.

"These people can sometimes face very severe anxiety and fear when they know the person is going to get released anyway,” McClure said. “The most important right is the victim’s rights. They need to feel safe.”

Still, the senator said there is more to be done as far as protecting the rights of victims.

“There’s always, always going to be things to do to improve the process,” McClure said.

Also included in the law is a provision that victims get 30 days’ notice about any parole proceedings. Victims can submit their testimony through written letters, audio recordings or video recordings that can be submitted electronically. 

Statements that victims make in public forums, such as public trials and hearings, however, cannot be considered confidential.

The bill passed both the House and the Senate with no opposition. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed off on the law in August and it will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.