Change in Illinois law could benefit victims' families
MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (AP) - A change in Illinois law could help families fighting to learn the truth about the death of loved ones.
Gov. Bruce Rauner is scheduled to sign the legislation into law Tuesday.
The measure will strengthen Illinois' Freedom of Information Act by increasing fines for public bodies that fail to comply with court orders to release information.
It will also increase the statute of limitations on wrongful death lawsuits from two years to five.
The measure has been dubbed "Molly's Law" for Molly Young. The Carbondale woman died in 2012 of a gunshot wound to the head in the apartment of her boyfriend. A special prosecutor could not determine whether the death was an accident, suicide or homicide.
Her father has fought to obtain police records in the case.