CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law requiring police departments to get all rape kits analyzed.
Starting Sept. 1, police must submit evidence in sexual assault and rape cases to the Illinois State Police laboratory or one approved by that agency within 10 business days. The kits must be analyzed within six months.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Tuesday that the law will end inconsistencies in how different police departments handle sexual assault cases.
She predicts the law will increase the number of arrests and prosecutions, adding that a similar law in New York City raised sexual assault arrests from 30 percent to 70 percent.
Madigan says federal funding will pay for the testing.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Photo Caption: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, and state Attorney General, Lisa Madigan discuss two pieces of legislation signed into law that will protect the rights of rape and sexual assault victims during a news conference, Tuesday, July 6, 2010, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Starting Sept. 1, police must submit evidence in sexual assault and rape cases to the Illinois State Police laboratory or one approved by that agency within 10 business days. The kits must be analyzed within six months.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Tuesday that the law will end inconsistencies in how different police departments handle sexual assault cases.
She predicts the law will increase the number of arrests and prosecutions, adding that a similar law in New York City raised sexual assault arrests from 30 percent to 70 percent.
Madigan says federal funding will pay for the testing.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Photo Caption: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, and state Attorney General, Lisa Madigan discuss two pieces of legislation signed into law that will protect the rights of rape and sexual assault victims during a news conference, Tuesday, July 6, 2010, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
