SPRINGFIELD - Wards of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services who run away or go missing from the system will now have additional protections to help find them and keep them out of the hands of predators. Two pieces of legislation, sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham, were signed into law to help create a system to locate missing wards that are reported as well as enhancing penalties for criminals who exploit those missing wards.
“The protection of our children, regardless of circumstance, is a priority. With the passage and signing of these important pieces of legislation, our most vulnerable children will have better protection and, hopefully, a better life,” said Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat.
Senate Bill 1775, also known as the Safeguard our Children Act, spells out what is required from DCFS once a youth in their custody is reported missing. The legislation states that DCFS must report the missing youth to local law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Illinois State Police must also develop a network to help with locating missing DCFS wards.
From 2011 to 2013, residential DCFS facilities reported 29,425 incidents of missing wards, averaging 27 runaway reports per day. Many residential facilities do not report the runaways to local law enforcement.
“There have been numerous cases of DCFS wards going missing, where, unfortunately, law enforcement was not made aware of the missing child,” Cunningham said. “This new law will help us to find runaway wards as quickly as possible, helping protect them from possible exploitation.”
Also signed into law was Senate Bill 201, which allows sentencing courts to consider a defendant’s knowledge of a prostitution victim’s DCFS status when sentencing. Many wards of the state are extremely susceptible and are in need of extra judicial protections. The legislation specifically states that judges may consider the fact that a criminal knew their victim to be a ward of DCFS and consider that knowledge as an aggravating factor when imposing sentences.
"A series of recent articles reported that human traffickers often specifically target and recruit wards of the state who reside in group homes. Predators see them as especially vulnerable and susceptible to being lured into a life of prostitution," Cunningham said. "The new law would enable judges to enhance the sentences they impose on pimps and traffickers in those cases."
Cunningham has worked closely with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart over the years to help craft good public policy in the criminal justice and corrections field. These two new laws are a direct result of that good working relationship.
“I’m proud to have worked with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office on this. We will continue to work together to protect our most vulnerable children and make their protection a priority,” Cunningham said.
CHICAGO - State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-18th Senate), along with State Representative Fran Hurley (D-35th Representative) and the village of Worth Police Department are holding a "Gun Lock Give Away" on Saturday, July 25 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the Worth Village Hall, 7112 West 111th Street in Worth.
This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will receive a free gun lock. Village of Worth Police Officers will be on hand to demonstrate how to safely use and install the locks.
For more information, please contact the Constituent Services office of Senator Cunningham and Representative Hurley at 773-445-8128 or view the flyer attached.
CHICAGO - State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-18th Senate) is hosting a "Recycle & Shred" event on Saturday, August 1 from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM. The event will be held at the Orland Hills Public Works Building, 16533 S. 94th Avenue and is co-hosted by State Representative Fran Hurley, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and AT&T.
Electronics recycling and residential shredding will be available until the trucks reach capacity.
For more information, please view the attached flyer for the event.
WHO: State Senator Bill Cunningham, State Representative Fran Hurley & Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart
WHAT: Recycle & Shred Event
WHEN: August 1, 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM
WHERE: Orland Hills Public Works Building, 16533 S. 94th Avenue
Local legislators to visit with constituents at 13 coffee shops on Saturday, July 18
CHICAGO - State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-18th Senate) and State Representative Fran Hurley (D-35th Representative) have held “Coffee and Conversation” events at businesses in their districts monthly since taking office, inviting area residents to meet them informally to discuss issues facing the state while enjoying a cup of their favorite morning beverage. On Saturday, July 18, Cunningham and Hurley are going to need all the caffeine they can stomach as they visit 13 locations in one day during their “Coffee and Conversation Half Marathon.”
The “Half Marathon” route will cover more than 65 miles as it winds throughout their legislative districts, stretching from Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood to Orland Park. Cunningham and Hurley will spend approximately 25 minutes at each of the 13 locations, taking time to listen to the concerns of their constituents and answer questions about state government.
“I feel this is a unique and valuable way for the people we represent to make their voices heard. With the budget negotiations still going on, I expect we will hear a lot from our residents during this event and we will take those concerns and ideas back with us to the Capitol,” Senator Cunningham said.
Representative Hurley came up with the idea for the event while watching runners compete in the annual First Midwest Bank Palos Half Marathon.
“That race has become one of the premiere events in my district. It’s a real showcase for our area that draws thousands of runners and spectators,” Hurley said. “I thought a “Coffee and Conversation Half Marathon” would be a good tie-in to help make our constituents aware of how accessible we are. I’m not sure if I can run 13.1 miles in a couple of hours, but I know I can make it to 13 coffee shops in one day.
”The “Coffee and Conversation Half Marathon” will visit the following locations (arrival times are approximate):
8:00 AM
Hardboiled Coffee Co. - 9135 S. Western Ave., Chicago
8:40 AM
Starbucks - 1933 W. 103rd St., Chicago
9:20 AM
Starbucks - 3243 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park
10:00 AM
Starbucks - 7202 W. 119th St., Palos Heights
10:40 AM
Dunkin’ Donuts - 13029 S. La Grange Rd., Palos Park
11:20 AM
Dunkin’ Donuts - 8940 W. 159th St., Orland Park
12:00 PM
Starbucks - 15901 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park
12:40 PM
Blissful Banana Café - 15447 S. 94th Ave., Orland Park
1:20 PM
Dunkin’ Donuts - 14461 S. La Grange Rd. , Orland Park
2:00 PM
Dunkin’ Donuts - 11309 W. 143rd St., Orland Park
2:40 PM
Starbucks - 14209 S. La Grange Rd. in Orland Park
3:20 PM
Dunkin’ Donuts - 10401 S. Western Ave., Chicago
4:00 PM
Horse Thief Hollow - 10426 S. Western Ave., Chicago
Those interested in meeting Senator Cunningham and Representative Hurley during the event are advised to check their Facebook pages and Senator Cunningham’s twitter account (@SenatorBillC) for live updates on their location.
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