CHICAGO – An Illinois law designed to ensure victims of sexual assault receive proper care inside hospitals also includes carve out that allows patients to be transferred if hospitals can’t provide services like rape kit exams, but it can have unintended consequences.

Advocates argue this can disrupt the chain of custody for things like evidence collection and creates a chilling effect where victims may decide to not to travel further to get a rape exam.

“That now means a survivor has to go that much further, that’s where we see the real-life impact on a survivor,” said Carrie Ward with the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

An NBC 5 Investigates’ review of 185 Illinois hospital inspection reports filed by the Illinois Department of Public Health between 2018 and 2024 found hospitals across the state have failed to properly treat victims through a series of missteps – from poor record-keeping to more serious violations like failing to contact police and turnover rape kits – some which we found sat on the shelves for years.

While Illinois law requires that hospitals offer treatment, there’s no real consequence for those that don’t.

NBC 5 Investigates could find only one hospital – Weiss Memorial in Chicago – that had been fined over the past six years and that was only after its previous plans of correction were rejected by the state. The hospital had been found in violation for failing to have adequate staff and supplies and failing to offer forensic exams.

All told, our investigation found 88 Illinois hospitals over a period of six years failed to properly treat victims of sexual assault, though that figure could be an undercount given that hospital inspectors only looked at a sampling of patient records during inspections.

The state law known as the Illinois Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act – or SASETA – requires that hospital offer services to rape victims – including offering rape kit exams, contacting police, providing information on STD and drug testing and other services like access to a shower free of charge and sexual assault counselors.

But our months-long investigation found time again – that didn’t happen.

And of the 85 hospitals we found with transfer agreements, more than half send patients between 40 to 80 miles away.

When 62-year old Cheryl Thompson went to Union County Hospital on New Year’s Day to report she’d be sexually assaulted, she says the ER physician told her she was “too fat and too tall” to have been assaulted. In her statement to Illinois State Police, Thompson said the doctor was dismissive of her claims. She filed a complaint with the IDPH.

Months later inspectors found the hospital had collected her urine and blood to test it for a date rape drug, but failed to contact police.

Traumatized by her experience, Thompson says she waited eight days to go to another hospital even though Union County Hospital had offered her a referral to another hospital in Mount Vernon – more than 70 miles away.

“I basically blame that hospital because I have no DNA,” she said.

In a recent interview, State Rep. Kelly Cassidy told NBC 5 Investigates that she’d like change state law to rein in how far victims are forced to travel.

“I think a lot needs to change. I think we need real accountability measures. I don’t think it’s acceptable anymore to allow hospitals to violate these laws with impunity. Trying to be partners and working together has worked.”

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association blamed the problems on changes to the law in 2018 noting that it created “challenges … hindering optimal access to care for survivors…” according to a statement sent to NBC 5 Investigates.

Specifically, the IHA referenced the challenge in hiring sexual assault nurse examiners and said it is working with the hospital community and other state agencies to “identify statutory or regulatory changes” that “may further ensure survivors are treated in a timely manner.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – How much do you know about the history of the Underground Railroad?

When the Civil War ended, many freedom seekers made their way up north to Illinois through the Underground Railroad. In fact, there were more than 200 sites that served as safe havens.

An Illinois task force has spent months identifying places and people involved with the Underground Railroad. The goal is to promote Illinois’ historic ties to the Underground Railroad, to boost both education and tourism.

On Tuesday, the findings were presented to the state legislature with the hopes of preserving history. The plan seeks to unify local Underground Railroad projects and develop new ones across the state.

The task force recommends establishing the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission, which would research and commemorate sites linked to freedom seekers and collaborate with similar groups nationwide.

The proposal aims to ensure that the stories of those who sought freedom and those who helped them are saved and celebrated for future generations.

“We need to explain that, and we need to explain to people the hardships these individuals went through, the trials and tribulations, the bounty hunters that were always a risk. And we just don’t think that in the state of Illinois right now, that full story is being told,” said Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman.

There are 25 Illinois sites currently listed on the National Park Service Network to Freedom. Nationwide, the network has identified more than 700 locations in 39 states.

It’s a long way until the summer, but the Illinois State Fair has already announced its first grandstand act of 2025.

Rock band Def Leppard will perform Saturday Aug. 16.

The band formed in England in 1976 and became a major headliner in the 1980s with the help of MTV and big selling albums like Pyromania and Hysteria.

Def Leppard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Tickets will go on sale Nov. 16.