Community Corner
Yingling-Backed Bills to Prevent Domestic Violence Signed into Law
HAINESVILLE, Ill. – Measures backed by state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, combating domestic violence through expanded education and increased penalties on repeat abusers are now law.
“Victims of domestic violence are often scared to come forward and ask for help for many reasons,” Yingling said. “I want to strengthen our laws and give judges the ability to increase jail time for repeat offenders, so victims know that their abusers can and will be put away. We must also work within our schools to teach young people ways to identify and prevent abusive behavior.”
House Bill 958 – which Yingling sponsored in the House – enhances penalties for repeat domestic abusers. Under Yingling’s measure, an offender with one or two prior domestic battery convictions could face a Class 4 felony charge, punishable by up to three years in prison. An offender with three prior convictions could face up to five years in prison, and all subsequent convictions could result in a prison sentence of up to seven years. Previously, the maximum penalty for domestic battery was three years in prison, regardless of an offender’s prior convictions.
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Yingling also supported House Bill 3379, which requires school districts to adopt strict guidelines against teen dating violence and establish prevention measures. The new law also requires that age-appropriate instruction on identifying and preventing teen dating violence be included in the health education curriculum of all students in grades 7 through 12.
Both measures were signed into law last week.
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“Domestic violence degrades the fabric that holds families together and takes a devastating toll on entire communities,” Yingling said. “I am committed to making it clear that if you’re being abused there is help, and if you’re an abuser your actions will not be tolerated.”
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) for immediate crisis intervention, counseling and referrals to emergency shelters and services in your area.
Yingling represents the 62nd District, which contains portions of Gages Lake, Grayslake, Hainesville, Ingleside, the Round Lake communities, Wauconda and Wildwood.
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