OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
October 8, 2014
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the request of the Chairman of the Commission on Human Relations, I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Burke and Thomas, an ordinance amending Chapters 2-160 and 2-120 of the Municipal Code regarding a sexual assault victims' Bill of Rights.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government pursuant to the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6 (a); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule power, the City of Chicago may exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs including promoting the quality of life, health, safety, and the welfare of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, violence against women, including domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault, is a serious problem on college campuses across the nation; and
WHEREAS, a study by the U.S. Department of Justice has found that approximately twenty-eight percent (28%) of women are targets of attempted or completed sexual assault while they are college students; and
WHEREAS, many victims are reluctant to come forward to report their sexual assaults due to a lack of information about resources and protections available to them on college campuses; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, the U.S. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter to all federally funded schools to remind them of their responsibilities to take immediate and effective steps to respond to sexual violence in accordance with Title IX, the landmark federal civil rights legislation that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, the Campus Security Act, now known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act, was signed into law by President Bush ...
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