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Senate Bill 3023 passed both chambers unanimously and would
allow for reimbursement by the Illinois Department of Healthcare
and Family Services’ Sexual Assault Emergency Treatment Program
if a victim of a sexual assault chooses not to share that
assault with their medical provider.
State Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, is a co-sponsor of the
legislation alongside state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago.
“Victims of sexual assault experience physical and emotional
trauma that is beyond words,” Wheeler said. “By passing this
bill into law, we will ensure that survivors receive timely
access to the medical forensic care they need as well as the
option to protect their privacy when it comes to billing.”
The measure also requires a federally qualified health center to
employ a sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator and a medical
director to provide medical and forensic investigation services
for victims of sex crimes.
Cassidy said she hopes to improve care for the victims of a
sexual assault or sex-related crime.
"This bill represents the work of the Sexual Assault Survivors
Emergency Treatment Act, and these are recommendations designed
to improve the care of sexual assault victims," Cassidy said.
The measure was one of more than 400 bills lawmakers are
readying to send to the governor.
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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