Joliet torture case inspires law

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Rebecca Mercado, of Joliet, was tortured by her husband for two days. Her case inspired a new law that allows for longer sentences in the case of torture. | Submitted photo

Updated: November 26, 2011 12:30AM

Legislation strengthening penalties for abusers who torture their victims was signed into over the weekend by the governor.

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, and state Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, and drafted by Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow

It bears the name of a Joliet resident who was beaten and tortured by her then-husband for two days.

The law increases prison sentences for battery cases involving torture to a minimum of four years and a maximum of 15 years and enhances the offense to a Class 1 felony from a Class 3 felony.

Over a period of two days in July 2009, Rebecca Mercado was held hostage in her own home by her husband. He beat her repeatedly with a metal broom and a piece of wood until she passed out from the torture and abuse. He was sentenced to 41/2 years in prison, which was nearly the maximum penalty allowed under state law at the time.

Mercado’s case inspired Glasgow to contact Holmes and Cross to help fill a gap in the state’s aggravated battery law.

“Rebecca suffered her husband’s constant physical violence for two days while her three young children were in the house,” Glasgow said. “Her case cried out for greater penalties.”

Aggravated battery was previously listed a Class 3 felony, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

“This is a case of a crime victim coming forward and wanting to change the laws so the next victim has more options than she did, going forward,” Cross said. “Rebecca has extreme courage and character to turn a truly awful situation into a story of survival and fighting back — for future victims.”