DeKalb Times

State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) knows the work doesn’t end with Gov. J.B. Pritzker signing legislation that creates a task force aimed at strengthening the state’s domestic violence laws.

“Colton’s Task Force will work to identify gaps in the state’s domestic violence laws and develop recommendations to better protect victims and survivors of domestic violence in Illinois,” Keicher posted on Facebook. “I sponsored this bill and look forward to playing an active role in following-up on the task force’s recommendations. Together we can reduce the frequency and tragedy of domestic violence that harms far too many women and children in our state.”

The measure comes in the wake of the 2019 killing of 18-month-old Colton Miller, who died at the hands of his father in a murder-suicide.

Since the tragedy, Colton’s mom, Cassandra Tanner Miller, has dedicated herself to changing the way the system treats both victims of domestic violence and their abusers. Part of her mission has centered on creating a new law to help close what she sees as too many loopholes.

“Why did it have to be my son,” she told CBSLocal.com. “Why did it have to be Colton? And the more that I walk this journey I think maybe it was me that had to do it.”

Tanner Miller recalls she was home in Joliet on Sept. 21, 2019, with her two young children when her estranged husband appeared out of nowhere to attack them.

“He just said ‘Are you all ready to die today?’ with this big smile on his face; and I just screamed,” she said.

Tanner Miller said she did everything she could to protect herself and her children from her ex-husband and feels the judicial system let her down. She said among the red flags that were ignored were how Christopher Michael Miller’s FOID card had been revoked, to his unmonitored time out on an I bond, to her personally warning the Illinois National Guard about his violent behavior and alleged drug use.

“It’s a pain that takes your breath away at all hours of the day,” she said. “We have not had anything that is a full comprehensive breakdown to see where the gaps are.”

In announcing the new legislation, the governor singled out Tanner Miller for praise.

“She has honored her son’s memory every day, and his life, by working to protect other children from Colton’s devastating fate,” he said.

Pritzker also noted that he believes the tragedy could have been prevented if authorities had responded to Cassandra’s repeated warnings.

“These task forces reflect your courageous work to fight for others,” he said. “Both will play a vital role as we seek to further address the scourge of domestic violence.”

According to state Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) the task force is expected to present an extensive report to the General Assembly sometime next year that highlight all its findings.