Victims' Rights, Public Safety Advocacy, and Information for Illinois' Crime Victims

Heroes



We began recognizing our heroes in 2007 with the first award going to a very great States Attorney.

2007 VICTIM HERO AWARD
Cook County States Attorney Richard Devine

IllinoisVictims.org’s first annual Victims’ Hero Award was presented to Cook County States Attorney Richard Devine at press conference in his offices on Monday, October 15, 2007.  He established Cook County victim services. Shown here are the victims’ family members in attendance, representing all phases of the criminal justice process:  Barbara McKee, Bill Jenkins, Betty Degnan Finn, Jeanne Bishop, Denise Reed, and Jaquie Algee. Mr. Devine stated that it will be one of his most treasured awards and that he will continue to be involved in protecting victims’ rights even in his retirement.

 
2008 VICTIM HERO AWARD

Winnebago County Victim Advocate Barbara Stone

In attendance in Rockford were dozens of victims family members who have lost loved ones due to homicide. Barbara Stone received her award that evening from grateful victims families, with excellent media coverage. We remain grateful to the Rockford area news media for always giving victims issues excellent coverage so consistently! Barb Stone is a model Victim Advocate working in her county for the States Attorney. She goes above and beyond the call every day.

She is a true friend and not only does her job, but works proactively and at a statewide level to make sure that all victims rights are protected, and that all victims and families have support. We love you, Barb!

2009


2009 VICTIM HERO AWARD
Dr. Peters and Northern Illinois University and select Illinois LEGISLATOR HERO AWARDS

Photo: May 13, 2009 at the Illinois State Capitol, Springfield. Breakfast for IllinoisVictims.org Legislator Hero Award Winners. Left to Right: Polly Poskin of Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, Dora Larson, Senator Kirk Dillard (one of 59 Legislator Hero Award Winners), Terry Mayborne, then our President.

On Wednesday morning May 13, 2009 a select group of Legislators in both the Illinois House and Senate received a Legislator HERO award from IllinoisVictims.Org for their consistent support of the rights and needs of victims of homicide and violent crime in the state of Illinois.

Illinois averages about a thousand murders and forty thousand attempted murders or aggravated assaults every year. Those victims’ lives have been incredibly damaged, and sometimes justice for the offender is elusive. Worst of all, all Illinois citizens pay the price tag for this high level of violence, and its impact on the lives of so many citizens. This is why IllinoisVictims.org, which represents hundreds of homicide victims families and victims’ rights advocates statewide, is grateful to leaders who work consistently to protect victims of crime, especially in a state where many resources are lavished on the offenders, while virtually none are allotted for their victims.
The bi-partisan list of recipients is below. These legislators have distinguished themselves this last year in their support of the Rights of Victims of Crime, as articulated in Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution. Also they have demonstrated concern for crime victims’ safety, and for protecting victims in their interactions with the criminal justice system.
 SENATE:
State Senators Tim Bivins, Maggie Crotty, William Delgado, Kirk Dillard, Michael Frerichs, Susan Garrett, William Haine, Don Harmon, Linda Holmes, Mike Jacobs, Davod Koehler, Dan Kotowski, Terry Link, Edward Maloney, Iris Martinez, John Millner, Antonio Munoz, Mike Noland, Kwame Raoul, Dale Righter, Dan Rutherford, Jeff Schoenberg, Ira Silverstein, Heather Steans, Dave Syverson, and A.J. Wilhelmi.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
State Representatives Edward Acevedo, Suzi Bassi, Patricia Bellock, Bill Black, Mike Boland, James Brosnahan, Linda Chapa LaVia, Elizabeth Coulson, Fred Crespo, Tom Cross, John D’Amico, Lisa Dugan, Jim Durkin, Robert Flider, John Fritchey, Paul Froehlich, Careen Gordon, Julie Hamos, Jay Hoffman, Chuck Jefferson, Kevin Joyce, Lou Lang (sponsor of our important effort to amend the Illinois Constitution to make victims’ rights enforceable in the state HJRCA 19), Frank Mautino, Michael McAuliffe, Susana Mendoza, Harry Osterman, Raymond Poe, Randy Ramey, Dennis Reboletti, Chapin Rose, Jim Sacia, Michael Smith, Ronald Wait, and Dave Winters.

 And we commended Dr. Peters of NIU for his prompt, insightful, and dedicated support of victims families during the tragic Valentine’s Day massacre at NIU.

2010 VICTIM HERO AWARD
Ted Street and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police

 

ILFOP President Ted Street The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police works tirelessly every single day to help victims of crime. They have been especially distinguished on supporting issues of public safety and crime prevention. In 2010 they came forward heroically with us when the Illinois Department of Corrections “mistakenly” released 1700 inmates early, many of whom were violent and many of whom immediately re-victimized innocent Illinoisans, including rape and murder. The “MGT Push” (Meritorious Good Time early release) by IDOC was later investigated and pronounced a mistake that led to the resignation of the IDOC director. Illinois FOP members worked day and night for weeks to try to re-apprehend some of the worst of these offenders, often at risk of their own lives. There are no words for our admiration for their dedication and bravery. Ted Street stood at our side representing the FOP at a press conference, supporting victims and demanding action on this issue. Maria Ramirez of the IV.org Board and Parents of Murdered Children spoke eloquently about the concerns associated with this mis-step in state policy. We released the names of many offenders released early who had committed violent crimes almost immediately, including murder. The FOP does a great deal – everyday - for victims of violent crime. They work for prevention, they work for victims rights, and they work for victims services. Thank you to our heroes of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police.

 

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Illinois' Crime Victims' Compensation Fund

Apply for compensation from the state crime victims' fund at the Attorney General's website.

Your Crime Victims Rights in the Illinois Constitution

1. The Right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.
2. The Right to notification of court proceedings.
3. The Right to communicate with the prosecution.
4. The Right to make a statement to the court at sentencing.
5. The Right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release of the accused.
6. The Right to timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused.
7. The Right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. The Right to restitution.


Victims' Rights, Public Safety Advocacy, and Information for Illinois' Crime Victims