Gov. Blagojevich signs bill to increase penalties for identity thieves targeting Illinois' service members

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[August 14, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation Sunday that increases penalties for identity thieves who target servicemen and women serving overseas. House Bill 1236, sponsored by state Rep. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, and state Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, will help protect Illinois' active-duty military personnel and Illinois National Guardsmen from being victimized by identity theft while they are stationed in a foreign country.

House Bill 1236 increases the penalties for identity theft when the victim is an active-duty member of the armed services or Reserve forces or is a member of the Illinois National Guard serving in a foreign country. The penalties are increased by one class for each offense if the victim is a service member serving overseas.

"On Veterans' Day at the state fair, we honor the men and women currently serving overseas and fighting for our country," said Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth. "We need to make every effort to ensure our hometown heroes feel their personal information is safe when they are away so they can focus on the mission at hand and return home to Illinois safe and sound. This new law will help give these service members that peace of mind."

"Identity thieves often know when units have been deployed and then go after the service member's identity, knowing they are away and can't monitor their finances. That's outrageous and must be stopped. This legislation will help put an end to such actions," said Tracy, House sponsor of the bill.

"I am proud to see this legislation signed into law. Our active-duty soldiers and National Guardsmen must be protected in every way possible while they are abroad. This measure only strengthens our commitment to our brave soldiers fighting the war on terror," said Jones, Senate sponsor.

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Cases of identity theft are occurring throughout the U.S. Just recently, a Guardsman from south central Missouri became a victim because of his service overseas. The senior sergeant was deployed with an aviation unit to Iraq for more than a year. When he came home from deployment, the sergeant learned his personal information had been compromised and stolen. The thieves used his bank account and ATM personal identification number to steal over $12,000. The money was spent on various items that were purchased in major Midwestern cities.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I was targeted because I was serving out of the country and the criminals knew I was gone. I appreciate the governor taking this initiative because something needs to be done to protect our service members from this crime. It took me months to get my money back and have closure. To just get home from serving overseas and having to deal with this
-- it was just a terrible experience," said the Missouri Guardsman, who wished to remain anonymous.

Being a victim of identity theft is difficult for anyone, especially if the victim is an active-duty service member serving outside the United States. Service members deployed often make less income than if they continued to work their civilian job in the United States. This leaves their families with a smaller budget and, if a victim of identity theft, more susceptible to a depleted bank account. It can take years to undo the damage done to the victim's credit report. House Bill 1236 will further prevent identity theft from happening to Illinois' servicemen and women.

"Taking care of our soldiers, airmen and their families is always our top priority," said Maj. Gen. Randal Thomas, Illinois National Guard adjutant general. "This law continues to demonstrate how Illinois takes care of its men and women in uniform."

House Bill 1236 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2008.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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