Villanueva leads measure to protect the DNA rights of crime victims

• Reproductive Rights
• HB 1168

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a measure to provide further protections to crime victims.

“There is no reason why crime survivors, who are brave enough to share DNA, should have to look over their shoulder wondering if their DNA they voluntarily provided will be used against them,” said Villanueva (D–Chicago). “This provision protects survivors and ensures they are able to seek justice without fear of systemic retaliation.”

House Bill 1168 would ensure that DNA evidence collected from a crime victim is not entered into a DNA database.

The measure comes in response to a case in San Francisco where a rape survivor voluntarily provided her DNA to law enforcement to bring her attacker to justice. However, her DNA was put into a database without her consent – and was tested against crime scene DNA for years.

Villanueva’s measure would ensure crime survivors are protected against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment.

“People should feel comfortable reporting crimes rather than face fear of future retaliation,” said Villanueva. “This provision is essential to maintaining the integrity of our criminal justice system.”

House Bill 1168 passed the Senate Wednesday and heads to the governor for final consideration.

Villanueva advances measure to give first-time offenders a second chance

• HB 5285
• Criminal Law and Public Safety

SPRINGFIELD —State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced a measure to help people who plead guilty to a possession charge a second chance in exchange for diversion into a probation program.

“First-time offenders of possession are typically young people who have made a misstep and by enrolling in a diversion program, they have shown their commitment to righting their wrongs,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Clarifying that a recorded conviction without judgement is inadmissible allows folks to turn their lives around without a negative record lurking behind them.”

Currently, a person who successfully completes a probation program will have their sentence or conviction vacated. This clean record applies while the person is enrolled in the program as well as for those who successfully complete the program.

House Bill 5285 would protect individuals who plead guilty to a possession charge in exchange for diversion into a probation program with the promise that a felony will not be included on their record upon successful completion of the program. This measure is needed because background checks often misinterpret diversion into special probation programs as a “conviction.”

“When we place a permanent judgement on people who are trying to better themselves, a vicious cycle is created,” said Villanueva. “Recidivism is far more likely when people have nowhere to turn.”

House Bill 5285 passed Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

Villanueva advances measure to safeguard reproductive health care records

• Reproductive Rights
• HB 5239

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced a measure to ensure reproductive health care records are not being improperly disclosed.

“Our fight for access to reproductive and gender-affirming care is far from over,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “It is our duty as a safe haven state to preserve people’s right to care while ensuring their livelihood won’t be put in jeopardy by restrictive, overarching laws of other states.”

Last year Villanueva led House Bill 4664 – a law to shield out-of-state patients and in-state providers from legal action originating from other states regarding abortions performed here.  To expand upon that measure and provide further protections, Villanueva is spearheading House Bill 5239 this year.

The measure would ensure that location information and health records for reproductive health care performed in Illinois would not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Further, it would ensure that units of local governments could not assist in imposing a civil or criminal liability against a person or provider who received reproductive or gender affirming care in Illinois. 

“Continuing to legally protect those seeking or providing reproductive health care is essential to the safety and wellbeing of millions of people,” said Villanueva. “As women’s rights remain under attack at the national level, we must take appropriate steps in Illinois to not only expand rights and access to care – but protect people seeking such care.”

House Bill 5239 passed Senate Executive Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

Villanueva advances measure to enhance Scott’s Law

• Construction
• Workers rights
• Scotts law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva is leading a measure to protect construction workers by enhancing Scott’s Law.

“It is essential that we establish safety measures to help drivers navigate zone changes to prevent accidents,” said Villanueva (D–Chicago). “Enhancing Scott’s Law is a simple step to ensuring the safety of construction workers.”

Scott's Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights, and any stationary vehicle with their hazard lights activated. The measure also states, if changing would be impossible or unsafe, drivers would be required to proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle and leave a safe distance until safely passing the stationary vehicle.

House Bill 5370 would enhance Scott’s Law to require vehicles entering a construction or maintenance zone to reduce speed and change into a lane that is not adjacent to construction workers, when possible.

“In prioritizing the protection of construction workers by clarifying the language in Scott’s Law, we create a more clear understanding for drivers of when this rule comes into play,” said Villanueva. “These necessary changes will guarantee the safety of drivers, emergency responders, and those who work in construction and maintenance zones.”

House Bill 5370 passed the Senate Transportation Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.