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'No' Now Means 'No' in Illinois

By AP/IL Public Radio/KWMU

Springfield, ILL – "No" now means "no" in Illinois. Gov. Rod Blagojevich last week signed into law legislation that clarifies consensual sex. He made the signing known Monday.

The new law makes it clear that people can change their mind, even while having sex. If someone says no, the other person must stop or it becomes rape.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Angelynne Amores says other states have similar laws, but those have been forced into the books by court order.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac, says the measure was inspired by a case in California involving two teenagers. The girl changed her mind about having sex, but the boy did not stop immediately.

He was charged with rape, and it took years for the courts to decide where California law stood on the issue.

Rutherford said the new Illinois law should prevent that kind of protracted court battle.

To hear a report from Illinois Public Radio's Sean Crawford click ----->

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