Kankakee Times

State Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) is calling for legislation that would streamline local police investigations to strengthen searches for unsolved missing persons cases.

Senate Bill 3932 would require a coroner or medical examiner with custody of human remains that are not identified within 72 hours of discovery to immediately notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation for assistance in identification, according to a press release. 

"Most know that the first 72 hours in a missing persons investigation are the most critical,” Sims said. “Should the identification process go beyond that, families should feel confident in knowing our law enforcement professionals are doing all they can to bring missing loved ones home safely.”

The 5-3 vote fell along party lines and SB 3932 passed through the Senate Local Government committee on Tuesday.

Sims filed the bill in January, and on Feb. 16, after it was advanced out of committee, Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) signed on as co-sponsor. Sims advanced the legislation in response to an investigation into the murder of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day. Day was reported missing on Aug. 24, 2021, his body was discovered on Sept. 4, 2021, but wasn’t identified until Sept. 24, 2021. According to WLGT News, the FBI is requesting tips from the public for information regarding Day's death and is offering a $10,000 reward for information.

“It felt like from the time the student was reported missing, there was no drive to find or identify his remains,” Sims said, according to the press release. “I stand with families in frustration, and especially families of color, who have struggled to get fair attention on their cases. No family should ever feel less than equal especially in a time of distress.”

The bill has been placed on the Senate calendar for a second reading.