Eastern students should be proud.

A recent bill, named “Andrea’s Law,” officially took effect on January 1 of this year. The bill, which passed in a 97 to 1 vote in the Illinois General Assembly, created a registry for convicted murderers, much like those existing for sex offenders and arsonists.

To those unaware of the background of Andrea’s Law, it was prompted by the release of Justin Boulay, a former Eastern student who murdered his ex-girlfriend, Andrew Will, in 1998. In a highly publicized and controversial event, Boulay was released from prison in 2010.

As a community, Eastern watched as Boulay was freed after serving only half of his 24-year sentence. Eastern students flocked to the Sigma Kappa chapter house for a candlelight vigil meant to support Will, who was a member of the sorority during her time at Eastern.

While the passing of Andrea’s Law does little to relieve the pain caused by Will’s murder or to subdue anger at Boulay’s premature release, it does signify a small bit of justice not only for Will, but for the families of all murder victims.

The bill was first proposed on the house floor by Eastern alum and member of Sigma Kappa Johnna Kelly. Moved by Kelly’s conviction for the bill, Rep. Dennis Reboletti, another Eastern alumni, immediately wrote and filed the bill.

Andrea’s Law symbolizes a triumph for the Eastern community. It was proposed by Eastern alumni, written and filed by Eastern alumni, all seeking justice for the death of another Eastern student.

Andrea’s Law stands as a permanent and effective testament to Will’s life, and it would not have been possible without the fortitude and passion of other Eastern alumni. Our community should be immensely proud of that fact.

However, the real tribute to Will does not come with the bill’s name, nor does it come through candlelight vigils and ceremonies.

Instead, the Eastern community should pay respect to Will by taking advantage of the accomplishments of Andrea’s Law.

New technology has made identifying convicted sex offenders and arsonists an incredibly simple task. A variety of free websites and applications exist solely to provide this information.

Because the registry mandated by Andrea’s Law will be implemented with existing sex offender and arsonist databases, students should be increasingly vigilant of their surroundings.

In all of life’s ventures, awareness is the first step in prevention, and Eastern students should be active in educating themselves about those living around them.

Both at home and on campus, the advantages of Andrea’ Law make personal safety much easier. Although the bill’s passing does not bring Will back, if it can save even just one life, than Will’s legacy gains purpose, and Eastern students should be proud of that.