MUNDELEIN – Governor Pat Quinn has signed groundbreaking new legislation creating a cyber gang unit pilot program in two local law enforcement jurisdictions, State Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) announced today. The new law will help local law enforcement prevent gang-related crime by tracking and investigating gang activity through use of the internet.

The new law, approved as House Bill 3716, was sponsored in the House by Rep. Sullivan and in the Senate by Sen. Michael Bond (D-Grayslake). The law allocates money for the establishment of new cyber gang units within the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group as well as the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

“This new law will empower local law enforcement agencies with the tools and funding they need to make a major effort to crack down on gang activity through use of the Internet,” Rep. Sullivan said. “This law is innovative, exceptional, and far-reaching in its ability to utilize modern technology in order to track and prevent gang activity. I thank the members of local law enforcement for their input during this process and commend my colleagues in both parties for their support in making this day possible.”

Under the law, the Cyber Gang Units will have the ability to investigate criminal activities of organized gangs that involve use of the Internet. The law also provides the peace officers in each Cyber Gang Unit the extra-jurisdictional authority to conduct investigations and make arrests anywhere in the State of Illinois regarding criminal activities of organized gangs that involve use of the Internet. The pilot program becomes effectively immediately and will remain active for three years, expiring on July 1, 2012.

For questions or more information, please contact Rep. Sullivan’s District Office by phone at (847) 566-5115 or via e-mail at ilhouse51@sbcglobal.net.

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