Victims of crimes by mentally ill get new legal voice

SPRINGFIELD - Spurred by the circumstances surrounding a suburban murder, the governor signed into law a proposal that gives victims of violent crime new legal voice when the perpetrators are found not guilty by reason of insanity.

"I've been unofficially calling it 'Jimmy's voice'," said Barbara McNally, whose husband Jim was gunned down in 2006 by James Masino in Bartlett. Masino was later deemed legally insane and unlikely ever to be mentally fit to stand trial. He's been confined to a state hospital for treatment.

Barbara McNally pushed lawmakers to give victims and their families some say in the process. The law signed Tuesday by Gov. Pat Quinn allows for impact statements at the initial commitment hearings in cases where the defendant was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

"Obviously, I'm pleased with what we accomplished," McNally said.

Sponsored by state Sen. John Millner and state Rep. Randy Ramey Jr., both Carol Stream Republicans, the new law will take effect Jan. 1.

Quinn signed the law, one of several he acted upon Tuesday, without comment or elaboration.

Other new laws include an immediate ban on child sex offenders driving ice cream trucks or emergency vehicles and 2010 requirements that public schools teach students about cancer and that high school athletes be asked about family history of cancer. In addition, a testicular examination will be required as part of a sports physical.