Reboletti Advances DNA Legislation to Help Law Enforcement Solve “Cold Cases"

July 23, 2007

Springfield … Local law enforcement will now have an additional tool in their arsenal for solving “cold cases” under legislation co-sponsored by State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst).

Senate Bill 710 would mandate that any convicted sex offender who is currently incarcerated at an Illinois Department of Corrections facility would have to submit a blood, saliva, or tissue specimen.

Current law states that individuals convicted of certain offenses are required to submit DNA samples to the Illinois State Police. However, there is a certain population of individuals who were sent to an Illinois Department of Corrections facility prior to the requirement that DNA be submitted.

“This piece of legislation is extremely important for local law enforcement to solve open cases and give victims and their families needed justice and closure,” Reboletti said.

Reboletti stated that this legislation would also mandate that any individual who is convicted of a sex offense or any offense that is considered sexually motivated would be required to submit a DNA sample within 45 days of his or her placement in a Department of Corrections facility. The sample would then be added to the State Offender DNA Identification System.

SB 710 has passed the House and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. Additional questions can be directed to Rep. Reboletti at (630) 530-2730.