CHAMPAIGN – Drawing on his experience as an attorney and prosecutor, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to see that the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services (ISP DFS) has unveiled an online sexual assault tracking system to give sexual assault survivors the ability to track evidence in new cases.

“Creating a uniform system to track sexual assault evidence will ensure survivors are treated with respect and offenders are held accountable,” Bennett said. “This new system will empower survivors to access information that’s critically helpful for them to move forward from their assault.”

The tracking system, known as CheckPoint, will allow survivors of sexual assault monitor the status of evidence in their case, from collection at the hospital, through law enforcement pick-up and submission to the forensic lab, and ultimately to the State's Attorney's office, where final results will be received. The system uses unique case numbers and passwords to limit access to survivors and law enforcement and ensure privacy.

“The CheckPoint system will allow survivors to have real-time information about their evidence while protecting their privacy,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This point-by-point knowledge of the location of their evidence will help to empower survivors and foster public trust in the system. ISP DFS personnel remain committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault through transparency and accountability.”

Currently, any survivor of sexual assault who seeks a forensic medical exam at a health care facility that has implemented the CheckPoint system is able to track the progress of their evidence in the system.

Bennett was the chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1411, which was signed into law in August 2019, requiring the Illinois State Police to establish a statewide sexual assault electronic tracking system. During his time in the Senate, Bennett has also championed legislation to give survivors of sexual assault time to seek justice when they are ready by ending the statute of limitations on sexual crimes against children.

“This measure was the result of a bipartisan effort to find ways to improve the collection and tracking of sexual assault evidence,” Bennett said. “More importantly, this was an effort to help survivors on the road to justice and healing.”

More information about the state’s tracking system can be found on the Illinois State Police website by clicking here.