A bill would make it easier for domestic violence victims to ask for an order of protection

Posted on February 23, 2022
State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is sponsoring a bill to make it easier to file an order of protection. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A bill to make it easier to file an order of protection was the subject of a news conference at the Capitol.

“What the survivor wants is for the person to stay away,” said Carrie Ward, executive director of the Illinois Coalition against Sexual Assault. “If that person doesn’t do that, then their lives are in jeopardy again, and we want to make sure that offenders breach those orders are held accountable as well.”

The bill, which has passed a Senate committee, would allow victims to file for an order of protection online and would require courts in a county larger than 250,000 population to offer the petitioner the option to hold a hearing on that order remotely.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…