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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, On July 16, 2014, Jesse Vega, also known as Jesse
3Ortiz, escaped from Elgin Mental Health Center custody while
4being transported to a court hearing concerning criminal
5charges pending against him; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Vega was charged with aggravated domestic
7battery, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm,
8aggravated battery in a public place, obstructing justice, and
9aggravated driving under the influence with a suspended or
10revoked license; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Vega remained at large for 8 hours, placing the
12community in harm's way for an extended period of time; and
 
13    WHEREAS, At the time of the escape, Vega was accompanied by
143 security officers; he fled from the vehicle as it was stopped
15at a gas station in a residential neighborhood; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The safety of individuals residing, working, or
17traveling in our neighborhoods is of paramount concern; the
18public requires a full understanding of how this escape
19occurred so officials may take the necessary steps to help
20prevent any future escape; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, This escape constitutes a breakdown in either the
2design or execution of the procedures governing the
3transportation of prisoners at the Elgin Mental Health Center;
4therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7direct the Office of the Auditor General to conduct an
8investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding Vega's
9escape and evaluate whether prisoner transport procedures need
10to be improved at Elgin Mental Health Center or other State
11facilities; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That we urge the administration of the Elgin
13Mental Health Center and all other institutions involved with
14this inquiry to make available all information to the Office of
15the Auditor General that may be necessary to their
16investigation; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That the Office of the Auditor General shall
18present a report to the Illinois House of Representatives
19detailing the findings of its investigation and any
20recommendations for procedural reform, should they result from
21the investigation, not more than one year after the passage of
22this resolution; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
2delivered to the Governor, the Director of the Department of
3Human Services, the Director of the Department of Corrections,
4and the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.