Cunningham Wants To Crack Down On Inmates Who Expose Themselves

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- State Sen. Bill Cunningham (18th District) wants to crack down on inmates who expose themselves. Cunningham introduced a measure that would increase the penalties for public indecency for incarcerated individuals, who expose themselves to female correctional employees and attorneys. The bill follows on the heels of a class action lawsuit filed last November on behalf of female assistant public defenders in Cook County, who allege they have experienced abuse by male detainees.

Senate Bill 3104 is intended to curb the increasing trend of inmates exposing themselves, masturbating and threatening female attorneys while in lockup. The legislation allows for inmates to be charged with public indecency. Under the current law, “public indecency” refers only to behavior performed in a public place, such as acts of sexual conduct or lewd exposure of the body meant to arouse the person.

Inmates who are convicted of their second public indecency offense will also be required to register as a sex offender. Currently, inmate are not required to register as a sex offender until their third offense. In 2017, 222 detainees have been charged with indecent exposure, including 144 cases where the victims were jail personnel and 29 where complaints were filed by defenders, according to a news release.

“It goes without saying that female staffers deserve to do their job without being exposed to such demeaning behavior,” Cunningham said. “Even more shameful is the idea that we would expect women to continue to go to work and contend with downright harassment after more than two years of formal complaints, the first of which dates back to October 2015. Enough is enough.”

SB 3104 passed out of the Senate Criminal Law Committee and now heads to the floor for a vote.

Photo: Sen. Bill Cunningham | Provided