Illinois laws provide victims with the rights to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process and to obtain certain information from the criminal justice system. The Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights includes:
- People who were injured because of a violent crime or attempted violent crime resulting in felony charges.
- Immediate family members of homicide victims or violent crime victims who are physically or mentally unable to exercise their rights.
The Victims’ Rights Unit provides information and support throughout the criminal justice process. Victim advocates can provide information and connections to outside agencies that can assist specific victim needs, such as domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, senior services, police departments and hospitals. They will also help you to complete the necessary forms for restitution and the Attorney General’s Office’s Crime Victims Compensation Application. Victim advocates are also available to offer resources and proactive services to help people from becoming crime victims.
If you are the victim of a violent crime and criminal charges have been filed, you should expect to be contacted by a victim advocate from the State’s Attorney’s Office. We will do our best to contact you within two to four weeks of the filing of criminal charges. If you are not contacted within four weeks of the filing of criminal charges, please call the State’s Attorney’s Office at (630) 232-3500.
In addition, the Victims’ Rights Unit hosts a support group for the family members of homicide victims. The group meets every other month. For information on the group call Judy Bland at (630) 232-3500.
Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except court holidays. For information, call (630) 232-3500.
Visit the Web site of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General for information about other resources available to crime victims.
Links
National Criminal Justice Reference System
U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime
Witness Justice
Community Crisis Center of Elgin
Mutual Ground of Aurora
Kane County CASA
Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Illinois Attorney General Victim Notification Network