A central Illinois State Senator has helped advance legislation out of committee that would further protect the privacy of victims of child sex crimes while testifying.  

Lincoln Senator Sally Turner explains Senate Bill 2942 clarifies that a judge can use his or her discretion to clear disinterested parties, excluding media, from the courtroom during the victim’s testimony even if the victim is over 18 years of age as long as the crimes were committed while the victim was still a minor. To safeguard the constitutional rights of defendants, the judge must find that particular parties do not have a direct interest in the case and must put their basis for that finding into the record.

Sen. Turner credits the Champaign and McLean County State's Attorney's offices for the idea for this legislation. 

Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz and McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp both testified in support of Senate Bill 2942 during Tuesday’s Senate Criminal Law Committee. The legislation passed out of the committee unanimously and now goes to the Senate floor for further consideration.