Grundy County committee forwards resolution backing "Andrew's Law" to full board

Michelle Hennepinburg urged the committee to sign a county resolution supporting state bills known as "Andrew's Law," saying the measure would strengthen Illinois grooming statutes and help push the bills out of committee.

"I've made it my personal mission at this point to get a grooming law put in place in all 50 states," Michelle said, describing her son's case and the challenges she faced in securing a conviction. She asked Grundy County to be among the first counties to pass a supporting resolution to encourage movement of HB 1140 and SB 284 from committee. She described proposed provisions that would prohibit plea bargains in certain grooming cases, restrict access to private businesses that cater to children by those on the sex-offender registry and extend the registry term to a lifetime in some cases.

County board members asked clarifying questions about the language and constitutionality of portions of the bills; the county's state's attorney had reviewed version language and the draft resolution was adjusted to reflect his comfort on key provisions, a board member said. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the county resolution to the full board for consideration.

Next steps: the resolution will be considered by the full Grundy County Board; Michelle said she will travel to testify in a congressional hearing and continue advocacy work aimed at moving state legislative action.