Welcome to the Illinois Survivors of Homicide website
This site was created for victims in need of resources, and information on support services, victim assistance, and victim compensation.
ICJIA Announces Training Initiative to Enhance Homicide Investigation across Illinois
May 7, 2012 - The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) are collaborating to develop an advanced homicide investigator training program. This training will be supported by the Death Penalty Abolition (DPA) Fund, administered by ICJIA.
Death Penalty Abolition Fund planning
April 1, 2012 - The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority hosted a Death Penalty Abolition Fund program development meeting Tuesday, April 3.
Victims' Rights
Know your rights as a crime victim.
Compensation
Many crime victims are entitled to financial compensation. Claims must be filed within one year of the date of the crime, or within one year of the criminal indictment.
Resources
A variety of resources are available to crime victims in Illinois.
Know your rights as a crime victim. The Illinois Bill of Rights for Victims and Witnesses of Violent Crime implements, preserves, and protects the following rights for victims of crime as guaranteed by the Illinois constitution:
- The right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.
- The right to notification of court proceedings.
- The right to communicate with the prosecution.
- The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing.
- The right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment and release of the accused.
- The right to the timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused.
- The right to be reasonably protected from the accused through the criminal justice process.
- The right to be present at the trial and all other court proceedings on the same basis as the accused, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines that the victim's testimony would be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at the trial.
- The right to have present at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence, an advocate or other support person of the victim's choice.
- The right to restitution.
For more information
These rights are listed in the Illinois Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act [725 ILCS 120] .
Many crime victims are entitled to financial compensation. Claims must be filed within one year of the date of the crime, or within one year of the criminal indictment.
Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Program
The Illinois Crime Victim's Compensation Act created the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Program administered by the Illinois Attorney General's Office. The program provides financial compensation to victims of violent crime and their families.
Eligible victims or family members who apply can receive compensation for some out-of-pocket expenses, medical expenses, or loss of earnings. Compensation is not provided for property loss or pain and suffering.
Applicants must first exhaust all other financial resources available, including, but not limited to any governmental, medical, or health insurance programs. Claims must be filed within one year of the date the crime occurred, or within one year of the criminal indictment. To learn more about victims' compensation, visit the Illinois Attorney General Crime Victim Compensation Program website:
A variety of resources are available to crime victims in Illinois.
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Crime Victims United of Illinois
http://www.illinoisvictims.org/ -
Find a support group for parents of murdered children and other survivors:
http://www.pomc.org/illinois.cfm -
Grief camps and scholarships for children of homicide victims:
http://www.sadfund.org/ - Illinois Crime Victims Assistance Line:
Supported by the Illinois Attorney General's Office, this hotline is dedicated to helping answer questions from victims of crime. The hotline provides victims with referrals for service, information on crime victim compensation claims, and assistance in completing applications for compensation.
1-800-228-3368 (Voice)1-877-398-1130 (TTY) -
Illinois Automated Victim Notification System
The Illinois Attorney General's Office operates the Illinois Automated Victim Notification System. This statewide notification system offers victims and concerned citizens a toll-free number to get up-to-date information on the custody and case status of an offender. Callers can register for automatic notification. Once they are registered, they will receive notifica-tion of changes in an inmate's status by phone. The system also allows the public to search for offender custody and case status by name.
To register for the service or to search for offender information online, go to www.vinelink.com.
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Illinois Attorney General's Office resources for victims of crime
Visit the Illinois Attorney General's Office website for a list of resources available to crime victims. www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/victims/index.html
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Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://www.ilcadv.org/ -
Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
http://www.icasa.org/home.aspx?PageID=500&
