SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) has introduced a bill that would make a civil no contact order permanent if an individual is criminally convicted of sexual assault.

Under current law, sexual assault survivors must see their alleged assailants in court every 2 years to renew their no contact orders.

“Survivors of sexual assault have to live day in and day out with the trauma caused by assault,” Stadelman said. “The least we can do to help them, is not to force them to relive their trauma every 2 years.”

The legislation is an initiative of the City of Rockford.

“If an individual believes that it’s in the best interest of their safety to extend an order of no contact against their criminally convicted perpetrator, they should have the right to do so,” Stadelman said. “People should have the right to feel safe in their daily lives without having to endlessly go to court.”

The City of Rockford worked with the Rockford Sexual Assault Counsel (RSAC), which suggested the lifetime order of protection. Similar protections are already in place for stalking victims.

Senate Bill 3617 awaits a Senate committee assignment.