Metro East Sun

State Representative Amy Elik has announced the successful passage of House Bill 222 through both chambers of the Illinois Legislature. The bill, which aims to protect survivors of childhood sexual abuse from legal barriers in civil lawsuits, passed the Illinois Senate on November 20 and is now awaiting the signature of Governor J.B. Pritzker.

As the Chief Co-sponsor, Rep. Elik has been a strong advocate for measures that shield children from sexual abuse. HB222 builds upon previous efforts initiated by Rep. Elik in 2023 with House Bill 1275, introducing significant changes to state laws. The legislation acknowledges the traumatic nature of childhood sexual abuse and seeks to prevent defendants in civil cases from shifting blame onto survivors.

Rep. Elik highlighted a concerning trend during court hearings where victims have been accused of being at fault or not traumatized by their experiences, an issue HB222 intends to address. "Victims of childhood sexual abuse deserve to be protected from victim blaming," stated Rep. Elik. She emphasized her legislative focus on strengthening laws to protect children and expressed hope that this new bill will empower more survivors to come forward without fear of shame or bullying in court.

Additionally, Rep. Elik praised the contributions of State Representative Curtis Tarver as the chief sponsor and acknowledged advocates and survivors across Illinois for their efforts in protecting children.