State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is lauding a new law to increase the number of safe havens for newborns across the state. Safe havens were created for parents to drop off unwanted newborns anonymously. The new law expands from existing sites, municipal police and fire stations and county sheriff’s stations, to any Illinois State Police station and campus safety office on any campus in Illinois.

“All of our children need the chance to be safe. We need to make sure that newborns are not abandoned by parents and left somewhere where no one can care for them.” Gordon said. “With Bradley University right here in Peoria, I am glad this new law will allow for another safe haven for a newborn caught in a very unfortunate situation.”

Individuals who drop their unwanted and unharmed newborn off at any safe haven site will avoid criminal prosecution. The original law was created to prevent parents of placing newborns in dumpsters or doorsteps and provides the child with a better chance of having a happy and healthy life.

For more information, please contact Rep. Gordon’s constituent services office at 309-681-1992 or e-mail repjehangordon@gmail.com.