Bill Amending State's GPS Monitoring Law Advances

Current state law only lets a judge order GPS monitoring after someone violates an order of protection

A bill that would let law enforcement officials use GPS tracking on people with a restraining order passed the Illinois House this week to advance to the Senate.

The proposal would let authorities monitor someone as soon as protective order is issued. Current state law only lets a judge order GPS monitoring after a suspect has violated an order of protection.

The bill was introduced by state Rep. Barbara Wheeler, a Crystal Lake Republican. She said she drafted the measure after the slaying of an Antioch woman who was killed by her ex-boyfriend even though she'd taken out an order of protection against the man.

"By strengthening tracking laws for those charged with violent crimes, we may be able to prevent murders like Diane's in the future," Wheeler said, according to the Daily Herald.

The bill is HB3744.

Contact Us