Illinois Resources

Help for Crime Victims

 

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Illinois

 

VINE It’s the Law!

It is the law to inform victims.

The Illinois Automated Victim Notification (Also known as Victim Information and Notification Everyday-VINE) is a telephone system where victims of crime and family members can call a toll-free number and receive up-to-date information regarding custody or court status of an offender. In addition, victims and family members can register to receive automatic notification when there are any changes in an inmate’s status and an automatic notification when a change in court status occurs.

Users register by calling the toll-free number 866-502-2423

The service is:

• Free
• Anonymous
• Confidential
• 24-hour a day, seven days a week

 

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Rights for Victims and Witnesses of Violent Crime It’s the Law!

The Illinois Constitutions (Article I, Section 8.1) provides victims and witnesses of violent crimes certain rights, these rights, Act (725 ILCS 120), are commonly called the

 

Illinois Bill of Rights for Victims and Witnesses of Violent Crime

These rights are as follows:

• The right to be treated with fairness and respect 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 timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused.
• The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice proceedings.
• The right to be present at the trial and all other court proceedings, unless the victim is expected to testify and the court determines that the victim’s testimony will be 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.

*Under Illinois law, “A statement and explanation of the rights of crime victims…shall be given to a crime victim at the initial contact with the criminal justice system by the appropriate authorities and shall be conspicuously posted in all court facilities.”

The law requires that some of these rights must be requested by the crime victim in writing.

*If you would like to print a poster copy of the Illinois Bill of Rights for victims of violent crime you can go to http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/victims/Bill_of_Rights_poster.pdf

 

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Crime Victims Compensation

In 1973 the Illinois General Assembly established the Crime Victim Compensation Act. The purpose for this Act was to reduce the financial burden that victims of violent crimes and their families are faced with as a result of a violent crime. Under this Act innocent victims and their families can receive up to $27,000 in financial assistance for expenses accrued.