New Illinois Law Expanding Services for Sexual Assault Survivors Takes Effect Jan. 1

CHICAGO — Senate Bill 1602, signed into law earlier this year by Gov. JB Pritzker, will take effect Jan. 1, updating the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act and the Illinois Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program. The law expands training for medical staff, strengthens enforcement, and increases access to care, including new guidance for pediatric cases. Attorney General Kwame Raoul supported the measure, which is designed to improve medical forensic services for survivors across the state.