In response to death, state house backs monitoring

SPRINGFIELD -- People who violate orders of protection could be tracked with electronic ankle bracelets under a proposed state law the Illinois House endorsed Thursday.

The push for electronic monitoring of abusers comes in response to the murder of a suburban woman who'd lived in fear of her former boyfriend.

Cindy Bischof of Arlington Heights was gunned down last month in Elmhurst by Michael Giroux, who then killed himself. Bischof had taken numerous steps to try to protect herself from Giroux, including getting an order of protection. But it was violated at least three times.

"Cindy did everything she possibly could," said state Rep. Michael McAulliffe, a Chicago Republican who knew her. "She lived through a life of hell."

The House voted 114-0 to support the legislation, sending it on to the Senate for consideration later this spring.

Rep. Suzie Bassi, a Palatine Republican, sponsored the legislation. It would let judges order abusers to be electronically tracked via ankle bracelets transmitting their whereabouts to police.