Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded Governor JB Pritzker for signing legislation that will improve medical forensic services for sexual assault survivors by making important updates to the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA) and the Illinois Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program.

Senate Bill (SB) 1602 builds on the work of the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Services Implementation Task Force. The task force was created in 2018 and included experts from the Attorney General’s office, the Illinois Department of Public Health, hospitals, health care providers, law enforcement officials, advocates and legislators. The task force has worked diligently since being established by state statute to evaluate and strengthen SASETA. Last year, the task force issued its final report, which was crafted with input from more than 40 stakeholders in government and the medical community serving sexual assault survivors.  

“The Illinois SANE Program helps provide quality, trauma-informed, patient-centered care to individuals during what is often the worst moment of their lives. Sexual assault survivors deserve care that is accessible, adheres to best practices to minimize additional trauma and contributes to justice being served in their cases. I thank the sponsors for their work on this legislation and Gov. Pritzker for signing it. I am committed to continuing to support survivors.” – AG Raoul