CHICAGO July 29, 2015
To the President and Members of the City Council:
Your Committee on Finance having had under consideration
An order requiring to the Chicago Police Department to appear before the Committee on Finance to report on the number of rape kits from Chicago that are currently untested.
Direct Introduction
Having had the same under advisement, begs leave to report and recommend that your Honorable Body pass the proposed Order Transmitted Herewith
This recommendation was concurred in by (arViva voce vote
of members of the committee with dissenting vote(s)7
Respectfully submitted
Chairman
ORDER
WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Justice, more than 400,000 backlogged rape kits await forensic testing in law enforcement storage rooms and crime labs across the country; and
WHEREAS, Local and state officials across the country are reviewing policies and procedures for processing rape kits after a recent USA TODAY investigation identified at least 70,000 untested sexual-assault kits across more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide; and
WHEREAS, According to law enforcement statistics, more than 90% of all rapes in the United States are committed by repeat offenders; and
WHEREAS, Based on statistical analysis, studies show that if all rape kits were tested, law enforcement agencies throughout the country could solve 50% of rapes that have occurred; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Government recently launched a $41 million initiative to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors' offices reduce our nation's backlog; and
WHEREAS, During a recent trip to Philadelphia, Vice President Joe Biden stated that this funding will put law enforcement and health professionals "in better position to handle rape cases," adding that he has witnessed hundreds of untested rape kits sitting on shelves; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act, 725 ILCS 202/1 et seq., Illinois Stat...
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