State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) passed significant safety legislation out of the Senate recently that will allow the Illinois Attorney General to investigate certain sex crimes for victims under the age of 18, including sexual exploitation of a child and child pornography. Senate Bill 1035 also allows the Illinois Attorney General and local State’s Attorneys to issue limited subpoenas to investigate these crimes.

"This legislation makes it easier for the Attorney General and our local State’s Attorneys to begin investigating certain crimes, particularly those heinous crimes committed over the internet that often involve young children and young adults," Hutchinson said. "Expanding their authority to investigate crimes ensures we are using all of the tools at our disposal to make certain our children are as safe as possible, especially while surfing the internet."

Senate Bill 1035 would drop the requirement that subpoenas come directly from a prosecutor and be filed through a grand jury. The Attorney General and local State’s Attorneys will now have the ability to issue ‘limited purpose’ subpoenas without having to go through and report back to a grand jury. Instead, the local chief judge is notified and has the authority to supervise subpoenas that have been filed. While the number of officials with subpoena authority would be expanded under this legislation, prosecuting authority would still rest with prosecutors.

"Every parent across the state is concerned with the safety of their children," Hutchinson said. "This legislation shows how simple adjustments to Illinois law can help make a difference in the fight against child exploitation and abuse."

"It was an honor to work with Attorney General Madigan on this legislation, and I look forward to working with her again on other innovative ways of dealing with child safety," Hutchinson continued.

Senate Bill 1035 now heads to Governor Quinn for his approval after passing the House earlier this week.