LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON BILLS TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN ILLINOIS SEXUAL ASSAULT LAWS.

ONE MEASURE IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE KATIE STUART OF COLLINSVILLE AND IS BASED ON A CASE IN ANOTHER STATE. A YOUNG WOMAN UNKNOWINGLY SLEPT WITH A A MAN PRETENDING TO BE HER BOYFRIEND. HE WAS CHARGED AND LATER ACQUITTED.

THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY ARLINGTON HEIGHTS REPRESENTATIVE MARK WALKER, PROMPTED BY THE CASE OF ONE OF HIS CONSTITUENTS. THE WOMAN GOT DRUNK, BLACKED OUT AND WAS RAPED. HER ATTACKER WAS NEVER CHARGED BECAUSE SHE INGESTED THE ALCOHOL ON HER OWN.

STUART’S BILL MAKES THIS A FELONY CRIME IN ILLINOIS. ANOTHER CLARIFIES STATE LAW SO THAT A PERSON IS UNABLE TO GIVE CONSENT EVEN IF THEY ARE UNCONSCIOUS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THEY DRANK OR TOOK THEMSELVES.