Inspired by the story of Elisha Brittman, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is sponsoring the Unidentified Patient Act, also known as The Elisha Brittman Law. Brittman – the victim of a brutal beating – was taken off life support earlier this year. Even more tragic: the family that made the decision wasn’t even his, because the hospital misidentified Mr. Brittman.

Brittman had been beaten so badly that the hospital was unable to identify him properly using photographs. It did not use fingerprints or DNA, which would have ensured a correct identification. Both Brittman’s mistaken family as well as his real one are filing a lawsuit.

“No family should have to go through this kind of trauma,” Van Pelt said. “One family was looking for their loved one, while the other was taxed with the decision to end his suffering. This entire situation was entirely avoidable.”

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CHICAGO – As a leader on ensuring Illinois’ DNA backlog doesn’t go unnoticed, Senator Patricia Van Pelt commended Gov. JB Pritzker’s creation of the Forensic Science Task Force, which will work to address the state’s backlog of untested DNA samples related to ongoing criminal investigations.   

“I’m happy to see the governor is taking action to get these DNA backlogs under control,” Van Pelt said. “We have grieving families and rape victims who are suffering and deserve answers. They shouldn’t have to continue to wait; it’s time for further action.” 

Van Pelt’s work over the past three years contributed to the creation of the task force. She held several hearings, cosponsored a measure to audit the state’s forensic services and stayed in frequent contact with the governor’s office to ensure the issue was addressed.

The Forensic Science Task Force will bring together key participants to work collaboratively to identify and analyze the issues and challenges facing Illinois’ publicly funded crime laboratories.

The task force will issue a report detailing its findings and provide guidance and recommendations to Pritzker and the General Assembly by June 1, 2020.