In Illinois, a growing crisis of domestic violence has spurred lawmakers to advocate for a new bill designed to prevent such tragedies. The proposed legislation, named in honor of Karina Gonzalez, who was tragically killed by her husband despite having an order of protection, seeks to keep guns out of the hands of alleged abusers.
In 2023, the number of deaths related to domestic violence in Illinois saw a staggering 110% increase compared to the previous year. According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), there were 120 deaths in 93 cases of domestic violence last year. This alarming rise has led to a call for urgent action.
Jennifer Cacciapaglia from Rockford’s Mayor’s Office of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Prevention highlights the systemic nature of this issue. She believes that this report should prompt all involved in supporting survivors to improve their response and involvement. “What this report does, and should do for our community, is make us take pause to the extent that we are all involved in systems that can improve a response to survivors and his, her, or their children,” Cacciapaglia says. “We have to do better.”
The bill, also known as Karina’s Bill, proposes that law enforcement officers confiscate firearms from alleged abusers immediately when serving an order of protection. However, the bill is currently stalled in the Senate, facing resistance from some law enforcement officials concerned about resource constraints. Representative Dave Vella suggests that increasing the number of officers could help advance the bill. He acknowledges the complexities of handling the confiscated firearms but emphasizes that keeping guns away from violent individuals is crucial.
“The question is what do we do with those guns? Do you just throw them in a warehouse somewhere? Finding them space is going to be very important because a lot of people have a lot of guns,” Vella explains. “Making sure that the county and the municipalities aren’t liable for the damage to these guns.”
In Rockford, the first city to report cases to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review, efforts are being made to examine data to prevent future fatalities. Cacciapaglia believes that simple, supportive conversations can play a significant role in holding abusers accountable and offering hope to survivors.
“If you are sitting across from a survivor, please, continue to offer them encouragement and hope and help them understand that they are not alone,” she advises.
John Milner from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police supports the intent of the legislation but stresses the need for careful implementation. He remarks, “We have to make sure it’s done safely not just for the victims of the crimes but for officers as well.”
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The ICADV’s report also reveals that out of the 120 domestic violence deaths in 2023, 56% were female, with ages ranging from 1 to 86. This sobering statistic underscores the urgent need for legislative and community action to address the escalating issue of domestic violence in Illinois.
