Stadelman bill to expand criminal stalking to include electronic tracking passes in committee

State Senator Steve Stadelman advanced legislation this week to keep survivors safe from their abusers by expanding the definition of stalking to include electronic tracking systems.

"Tracking devices are becoming more popular as people use them to avoid losing their luggage, wallets and other personal belongings," Stadelman said. "But some people are also using them for the wrong reasons. Cyberstalking is a serious crime, especially in this day and age when someone’s personal information and even location data can be accessed through the internet.”

Stadelman is working to make the state's Stalking No Contact Order Act consistent with the criminal definition of stalking. Senate Bill 2683 would expand the definition of stalking to include the use of an electronic tracking system to determine a person’s location, movement or travel patterns. The legislation would also allow judges to prohibit respondents from using electronic tracking systems and acquiring tracking information in a court order.

Nearly one in three women and one in six men have experienced stalking. An estimated 13.5 million people are stalked a year in the United States. Law enforcement reports more than twice as many victims of stalking have been followed with technology than without.

Senate Bill 2683 now heads to the Senate floor for further deliberation after passing the Judiciary Committee.

Stadelman assists in efforts to pause developmental disability cuts

State Senator Steve Stadelman commends local nonprofits that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for their strong advocacy efforts that helped delay a proposed cut in state-approved service hours for support personnel. Stadelman met with nonprofit leaders and supports the decision to delay a planned cut of hours paid to Direct Support Professionals. Rather than occuring April 1, the DSP cuts will remain under review until the start of the state's next fiscal year. The planned cuts follow an increase in hourly wages and other realignments intended to improve community living options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Congratulations to Stanley Edward Francis Campbell on his well earned retirement after nearly 40 years as executive director of Rockford Urban Ministries! It was my pleasure today to present him with a resolution from the Illinois Senate honoring his career!