HR1073 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1073 LRB102 30062 MST 42263 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality; domestic violence may take various forms and include physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and controlling behavior; on a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide; and

WHEREAS, The devastating consequences of domestic violence affect every person within a home and can have long-lasting or lifetime negative effects; and

WHEREAS, Preventing domestic violence and supporting survivors is a priority for the Illinois General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, The Hope Card system was established in Public Act 102-0481, with an effective date of January 1, 2022, to amend the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 to allow people protected under an order of protection to have a convenient and durable way to carry the information on their Order of Protection with them; and

WHEREAS, A Hope Card is a laminated card similar in size to a driver's license, containing information on the order of protection, including the case number, active dates, and a photograph of the respondent; these laminated cards are far less likely to degrade over time and are much more convenient for victims of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, The Hope Card system will also allow those protected under an order of protection to have something simple to give employers, administrators of a child's school, or anyone who may need to be aware of the protective order; and

WHEREAS, Multiple other states have implemented Hope Card programs, including Montana, Idaho, Indiana, and Virginia; and

WHEREAS, The Hope Card legislation passed unanimously in the Illinois State Legislature in the spring of 2021 and was approved by the Governor on August 20, 2021; the effective date of the public act is January 1, 2022; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Supreme Court has not yet implemented the Hope Card program in Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and the Illinois Supreme Court to immediately start this important program to support victims of domestic violence and allow people protected under an order of protection to have a convenient and durable way to carry the information on their Order of Protection with them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and the Illinois Supreme Court.