State Rep. McAsey: New Law Increases Penalties Against Repeat Domestic Abusers

Received from the Office of State Representative Emily McAsey:

Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Emily McAsey to protect the victims
of domestic abuse by increasing the penalties for repeat offenders took effect at the beginning of the year.

“Every year, thousands of families in Illinois are ripped apart by domestic violence,” McAsey said. “Unfortunately, there are many cases where abuse occurs repeatedly from the same offender, and this new law is aimed at putting those criminals behind bars for longer.”

McAsey, a former Will County criminal prosecutor, sponsored Public Act 98-0187 to enhance penalties for repeat domestic abusers. Under McAsey’s measure, an offender with one or two prior convictions could be sentenced to a Class 4 felony punishable by one to three years in jail.

An offender with three prior convictions would be charged with a Class 3 felony punishable by two to five years in jail. An offender with four or more prior convictions could be sentenced to a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in jail.

“The time has come for domestic abusers to be held accountable for their actions,” McAsey said. “This law will help protect victims in our community and serve as a deterrent to future domestic abuse. I will continue to fight for laws that protect families in our community.”

For more information, please contact McAsey’s full-time constituent service office at 815-372-0085.