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1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, On July 16, 2014, Jesse Vega, also known as Jesse
3		Ortiz, escaped from Elgin Mental Health Center custody while
4		being transported to a court hearing concerning criminal
5		charges pending against him; and
6		WHEREAS, Vega was charged with aggravated domestic
7		battery, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm,
8		aggravated battery in a public place, obstructing justice, and
9		aggravated driving under the influence with a suspended or
10		revoked license; and
11		WHEREAS, Vega remained at large for 8 hours, placing the
12		community in harm's way for an extended period of time; and
13		WHEREAS, At the time of the escape, Vega was accompanied by
14		3 security officers; he fled from the vehicle as it was stopped
15		at a gas station in a residential neighborhood; and
16		WHEREAS, The safety of individuals residing, working, or
17		traveling in our neighborhoods is of paramount concern; the
18		public requires a full understanding of how this escape
19		occurred so officials may take the necessary steps to help
20		prevent any future escape; and

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1		WHEREAS, This escape constitutes a breakdown in either the
2		design or execution of the procedures governing the
3		transportation of prisoners at the Elgin Mental Health Center;
4		therefore, be it
5		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6		NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7		direct the Office of the Auditor General to conduct an
8		investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding Vega's
9		escape and evaluate whether prisoner transport procedures need
10		to be improved at Elgin Mental Health Center or other State
11		facilities; and be it further
12		RESOLVED, That we urge the administration of the Elgin
13		Mental Health Center and all other institutions involved with
14		this inquiry to make available all information to the Office of
15		the Auditor General that may be necessary to their
16		investigation; and be it further
17		RESOLVED, That the Office of the Auditor General shall
18		present a report to the Illinois House of Representatives
19		detailing the findings of its investigation and any
20		recommendations for procedural reform, should they result from
21		the investigation, not more than one year after the passage of
22		this resolution; and be it further

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1		RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
2		delivered to the Governor, the Director of the Department of
3		Human Services, the Director of the Department of Corrections,
4		and the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.