Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Jury Instruction
Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of predatory criminal sexual assault of his girlfriend's niece. As court properly instructed jury on correct definition of "penetration", and as evidence was not closely balanced, State's improper description of definition were not plain error. Victim's age (8) and developmental disability were relevant to issues at trial. Age was a component of offense, and disability was relevant to ability to testify and communicate in court; thus, no error in referencing them in closing argument. (QUINN and CONNORS, concurring.)