Every election period brings out a new amendment to the constitution, with this election being no exception. Proposed on the ballot Nov. 4 will be an amendment to Section 8.1 of the Illinois constitution — building upon the rights in the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights.

Voters put into place the original Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights in 1992, but in doing so they also voted against an enforcement of the law. That meant while it was in theory a great set of rights, it wasn’t actually bound by law to enforce. The amendment being proposed will help change that.

The proposed amendment would add on provisions to help strengthen the already in-place rights.

The amendment helps guarantee that a victim has the right to be free from harassment, intimidation and abuse throughout the criminal trial process.

Given the modern world’s admiration for technology and how social media can spread words like wildfire, the idea that the victim will not be subject to these items is a reassuring one. It would help bring more criminals to justice, if the victim feels protected during the trial. By offering this type of protection, victims might be more inclined to testify at trial, helping to send more criminals to prison.

The amendment also gives the victim right to notice and to a hearing before a court ruling on access to any of the victim’s records, information or communications.

With privacy always a hot-button issue, it would behoove our state to look into more secure ways of protecting the people’s right to privacy. Of course that also pertains to victims. There is not a single point in having the victim’s whole life turned upside down after a crime has already left them in disarray. Furthermore, it stands to reason that a victim should be informed of how the information will help the case before their whole life is picked apart.

The amendment also adds that the victim has the right to be heard at any post-arraignment court proceeding in which a victim’s right is at issue and at any court proceeding involving a post-arraignment decision, plea or sentencing.

The idea that a victim is voiceless will no longer exist with this proposal. This also gives the victim closure, because the amendment makes it mandatory for the victim to be notified of how the case closes.

Finally, the amendment will work in a provision that states there will be a consideration of the safety of the victim and their family in determining bail and conditions of release after arrest and conviction of the defendant.

This operates on multiple levels for the victim, and it should be embraced. There should always be consideration for the victim and their family. Especially when thinking about bail and release after arrest. Not giving the families and victims rights to be safe is absolutely ridiculous.

This is an amendment that needs to pass through without conflict or hesitation. The rights of victims are too important to ignore, to be swept under the rug even in the midst of debt, pensions and minimum wage. Victims’ rights should be a top priority in this election.