23-05-2025
Illinois may update missing person database policy with bill in Statehouse
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A bill overhauling how police respond to a missing persons case is gaining traction in the State Capitol.
The proposal would require law enforcement to accept any missing persons cases without any waiting period. Police would also be required to share fingerprints and any DNA they have on the subject with National Databases.
Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort), the bill's Senate sponsor, said if this bill passes, no missing persons case will be closed until they are reported and identified, as cases will no longer be closed due to an exhaustion of leads. He also argues more rules will help bring more missing people home.
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'This bill actually makes sure that number one, that they do utilize fingerprints and DNA, that they do report it in the National Database, and that postmortem they have to go ahead and submit the information within seven days of recovery of the body,' Hastings said.
Hastings worked with the Cook County Sheriff's Office on the bill. Their office runs Missing Women's Project, which works to locate women who have been missing for at least three years.
According to the Department of Justice's National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Illinois has 461 open missing persons cases, 429 open unidentified persons cases and 93 open unclaimed persons cases.
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'Minorities are disproportionately affected by this. Homeless people are affected by this. All of those people have families,' Hastings said. 'And they should know where their loved one is, especially if they are found.'
The bill passed the Senate with unanimous support and now heads to the House of Representatives, where it's sponsored by Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island).
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