Chicago Aldermen Ask Police For Information on Rape Kits

Aldermen want to know if there is a backlog of unprocessed rape kits involving Chicago sexual assaults

Two Chicago aldermen asked a City Council committee Monday to investigate if there is a backlog of unprocessed rape kits involving Chicago sexual assaults.

Chicago Alderman Edward Burke and Chicago Alderman Carrie Austin say they want information from the Chicago Police Department about how many rape kits have been tested and certified over the past decade. The kits would have been sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Laboratory for testing.

The Finance Committee passed an order Monday for CPD to appear before them and provide information about how many rape kits have not been tested after the department only released the number of rape kits submitted.

A total of 957 rape kits were submitted to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab in 2014, but CPD only received results for 271, according to Ald. Burke, who said the gap is "considerable." State law mandates that police departments send sexual assault evidence to the state crime lab within 10 days. The crime lab is required to analyze the evidence within six months.

"There's no reason the criminal justice system should leave these victims at risk," Ald. Burke said.

The Finance Committee asked for nine more years of statistics from the department. The order will go to the full City Council during a meeting on Wednesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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