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Senate Bill 3667 was filed by state Sen. Steve Stadelman,
D-Rockford, and allows survivors to file protective orders in
person or online. The bill also would allow for a remote hearing
instead of being in person. The remote court visit would only be
in effect in Illinois counties with more than 250,000 residents.
"This allows victims of assault to file an order of protection
online, instead of physically having to go to the courthouse,"
Stadelman said. "Counties with over 250,000 people like, here in
Winnebago County, will be required to have the option of holding
a hearing on that order of protection remotely."
The idea for the bill is to make these court proceedings as
simple and painless as possible for the victims of these crimes,
Stadelman said. The measure also protects the victims by keeping
them away from their abuser.
"If the victim has to go to the courthouse, here are some of the
problems, the one who is the accused knows where that person
will be and when," Stadelman said. "There have unfortunately
been stories across the country of a victim having to confront
their abuser in a parking lot."
SB3667 will work for any type of protective order and the courts
will still have the ability to deny any person a remote trial,
depending on circumstances.
After being signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker late last
month, the measure goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
Andrew Hensel has years of experience as a reporter
and pre-game host for the Joliet Slammers, and as a producer for the
Windy City Bulls. A graduate of Iowa Wesleyan University and
Illinois Media School, Andrew lives in the south suburbs of Chicago.
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