With more than 3,000 people reported missing in Illinois, State Senator Mike Halpin is supporting legislation to use every available means of finding and identifying these victims.
“We need to make sure we are using every tool at our disposal to solve these missing person cases, both for the victims and their families,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This legislation sends a clear message to missing people and their friends and family: We are still searching, Illinois has not forgotten you.”
Halpin is cosponsoring legislation to set new requirements for investigations regarding missing person cases. The requirements include collecting and analyzing fingerprints and DNA, reporting missing people to a national database within 60 days, and prohibiting the closure of a case until the person has been confirmed returned or identified, among other requirements.
Western Illinois has had several high profile missing person cases. One of the cases was the tragic disappearance of 11-year-old Trudy Appleby of Moline. Her disappearance sparked a major search effort, but she has been missing for over 28 years, with family and friends still seeking justice. Another of the most high profile missing person’s cases in the Quad Cities is that of Jerry Wolking Sr., who went missing in 1990 at the age of 52. Wolking Sr.’s case remains one of the longest-running missing person’s cases in the Quad Cities.
“These victims and their families have suffered long enough,” said Halpin. “By pushing forward on this legislation we can bring justice to missing people and their families not just in Western Illinois, but across the state.”
Senate Bill 24 passed the Criminal Law Committee.
***Courtesy of Senator Mike Halpin***
