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"This bill is in response to an actual case where a child under 13
was physically abused on two occasions and in each case the abuser
was only given a misdemeanor charge," said Bomke. "Children need our
protection, and a misdemeanor is not a strong enough sentence for
this type of crime."
The Springfield Police Department, in particular a detective who
works on children and family cases, brought this proposal to Bomke’s
attention recently. The detective believes that significant harm can
be inflicted to a child that warrants a felony charge in certain
instances.
Senate Bill 2159 addresses a gap in the penalties for harm to a
child under 13. Under current law, aggravated battery of a child is
a Class X felony if it results in great bodily harm, permanent
disability or permanent disfigurement to a child under 13. However,
absent those conditions, police can only charge an individual with
misdemeanor battery charges.
Bomke’s proposal would create a new Class 3 felony for aggravated
battery if the victim is under 13.
[Text from file sent on behalf of
Sen.
Larry Bomke by Illinois
Senate Republican staff] |
