Woodstock – Last Friday, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law legislation strengthening protections against financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability. State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) was a co-sponsor of the legislation.
“Whether it’s coming from an unknown scammer over the phone or a close family member, financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability is a problem across the country,” said Rep. Reick. “This legislation will give prosecutors additional tools to crack down on and deter financial exploitation so we can hold offenders accountable and ensure the elderly and disabled have peace of mind.”
The legislation, Senate Bill 69 (SB 69), states that someone who commits financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability may be tried in any one of the counties where the offense occurred or where the victim or victims reside. SB 69 also states that theft by deception of a person with a disability is a Class 2 felony.
SB 69 clarifies that consent is not a defense to financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability if the accused knew or had reason to know that the person lacked the capacity to consent.
SB 69 passed the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate unanimously this past spring legislative session. SB 69 goes into effect on January 1, 2020.
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