By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Cold case, cold comfort. An Illinois House hearing Monday put the spotlight on a bill which could keep things moving.
State Rep Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), chairing the hearing, wants to cut through the frustration:
“Way too many families in this state know all too well the cold feeling of a cold case,” he said. “This is a personal fight for me as well. While I know the closure that is possible when justice is administered in the case of a murdered loved one, I also know what it is like not to have that justice or any answers at all.”
Survivors who testified included Valeir Burgess, who lost her son to homicide.
“Over ten years later, his murder is unsolved.” she said. “No one has ever been held accountable for his murder.
“He left behind two young children who will never get to experience the hands-on love from their father.”
Buckner has a bill allowing survivors to ask police to reopen a case if nothing’s happened after three years.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].
