By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and state Rep. Frank Mautino is urging local residents to help prevent domestic violence in Illinois by recognizing the bravery of victims and survivors.

Mautino backed Senate Bill 1645, which gives victims who are trapped in a cycle of violence additional time to move in to a new home without the burden of having to pay utility service dues or fees immediately.

Mautino also helped pass a new law protecting those who report repeated acts of domestic abuse to law enforcement. Some counties and cities have ordinances punishing those who make excessive or false calls to the police, but Senate Bill 1547, supported by Mautino, makes it illegal to enforce such ordinances if the call was made to report or respond to domestic or sexual violence.

If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence help is available. The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Domestic Violence Victim hotline can be reached 24 hours a day at 877-863-6338. The hotline is toll-free and confidential.