House Votes116-2 in Favor of Marsy’s Law for Illinois, Which Would Protect Safety of Crime Victims and Ensure They Are Informed About Court Proceedings Involving Their Attackers

Springfield, IL – Today the Illinois House overwhelmingly voted 116-2 in favor of Marsy’s Law for Illinois, a constitutional amendment that would provide victims of crime with enforceable legal rights that will protect their safety and ensure they are aware of their attackers’ whereabouts.  Currently, crime victims have legal rights under Illinois law, but they are not enforceable.

For example, victims are guaranteed the right to be informed of court proceedings, but some victims never learn about hearings until after the fact; victims are guaranteed the right to be present at trials and hearings about their case, but many are excluded from the process; and victims are guaranteed the right to present a written statement to the court about the impact of the violent crime on them, but many have been denied the opportunity. Marsy’s Law for Illinois, sponsored by Representative Lou Lang, would make the laws enforceable by giving crime victims the right to go to court and ask that the right they were denied be enforced.

Lang, who introduced Marsy’s Law for Illinois, also known as HJRCA 29, stated, “Today, crime victims are one step closer to having the common sense legal rights they deserve.  Victims should feel safe in their own community and be informed about cases involving their attackers.  I am pleased that my House colleagues agree.”

Other states, including California, Arizona and Oregon recently passed similar constitutional amendments making victims’ rights enforceable.  The California amendment, the original Marsy’s Law amendment, was passed in 2008 and requires law enforcement agencies to read victims their “Marsy Rights” just as the accused are read their “Miranda Rights.”  In 2004, Congress passed the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, providing victims of federal crimes extensive rights and means of redress if those rights are violated.  Illinois is behind nationally in ensuring crime victims’ rights are enforceable.

“Innocent victims of crime deserve every possible protection,” said Attorney General Lisa Madigan. “This amendment will guarantee that victims have not just a voice in the criminal justice system, but enforceable rights.”

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, Director of Marsy’s Law for Illinois, said “We applaud the Illinois House members for standing up for victims of crimes and their families.  The aftermath of a violent crime is an extremely traumatic experience, especially when victims fear for their safety around their own neighborhood.   This amendment would ensure that victims and their families are informed about legal proceedings and the whereabouts of criminal offenders and we are grateful that House members support those rights.”

Marsy’s Law for Illinois would give crime victims the right to:

• be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse;
• refuse to disclose information that is privileged or confidential by law;
• timely notification of post-trial proceedings;
• be heard in person or in any other reasonable manner the victim chooses at any proceeding involving a post-arraignment release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction or post-adjudication release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue;
• receive a report prepared for sentencing, reduction in sentence, parole, early release, or clemency, when available to the accused; and
• have the safety of the victim and the victim’s family considered in denying or fixing the amount of bail, determining whether to release the defendant, and setting conditions of release after arrest and conviction.

 Supporters of Marsy’s Law for Illinois include:

Attorney General Lisa Madigan

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

Chicagoland Voice of the Faithful

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart

Crime Victims United of Illinois

Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Illinois Sheriffs’ Association

Illinois State’s Attorneys Association

Illinois State Police

Illinois Victim Assistance Network (IVAN)
Marsy’s Law for Illinois

National Gun Victims Action Council (NGAC)

National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC)

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois

Project IRENE

Purpose Over Pain

Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Support for Homicide Survivors

Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

Every day we publish links to crime news from all over Illinois at our Twitter page, also linked on the right sidebar. Please “follow” us there and read the most comprehensive list of crime stories in the state.

MEDIA

Comprehensive Victims and the Media Guides Now Available Free Online

Justice Solutions (a national non-profit organization) has just published online two comprehensive guides on the subject of victims and the media. Crime Victims United of Illinois urges ALL those in the media who cover issues of crime and might ever talk to victims to READ this:

The first, entitled A Media Guide for Victim Service Providers (2009), is intended to help victim service providers advise victims in their dealings with the media. The Guide also includes chapters written to help victim organizations/agencies seeking to build positive working relationships with the media while enhancing the public visibility of their victim organization or agency. It is intended to serve the entire spectrum of the victim services field from professionals who are brand new to their role as “victim media advisor” to those with decades of experience. This Guide contains field-tested techniques and practical state-of-the-art strategies that will help victims steer around the common pitfalls while minimizing typical trauma associated with crime coverage in modern media. Topics addressed include: “Ethics for victim media advisors/advocates”; “How to advise victims regarding the ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘where,’ ‘when,’ and ‘how’ of media interviews, press conferences and talk shows”; “How to create a public education media plan for your organization”; and “How to establish a working relationship with members of the media that will benefit both your victim advisees and your organization/agency.” The second groundbreaking publication, entitled A Guide for Journalists Who Report on Crime and Crime Victims (2009), is designed to advise and assist journalists who seek to cover crime and victimization in a way that is sensitive to crime victims, yet still allows them to fulfill their role and responsibilities to the public as reporters. This first-of-its-kind Guide is not only intended to encourage more victim sensitive coverage, but it also explains the important role of victim advocates and service providers in regards to members of the media and explores ways that journalists can work with them more effectively to the benefit of both. The Guide provides journalists with practical tips, techniques and advice from practicing journalists, educators and media advisors, all with the purpose of helping journalists “get the story” without re-victimizing victims. Topics include: “What to say and what not to say to victims in crisis”; “How to approach surviving family members of murder victims”; “The law and ethics regarding reporting and victim privacy”; and “How to enhance your chances of getting an interview (including the victim’s inside story) using simple strategies, policies and practices that respect the needs and concerns of crime victims.” The Journalists Guide can also be used by victim service providers as an effective educational tool for the media since it can be downloaded, printed and distributed directly to members of the media or incorporated as part of an ongoing media education program.

Article: Prison is a bargain by any measure

March 2011 – Crime Victims United of Illinois’ director appears in Fox News Chicago story about an inmate who is earning money in prison but will not use it for victim restitution or for compensating the state for his incarceration.

See media coverage from our “C Number” HOMICIDE VICTIM, and LAW ENFORCEMENT PICNIC
Download the Press Release    

NEWS

Governor Quinn signs new law protecting Illinois victims of human trafficking

Springfield Journal Register on the Crime Victims Rights Constitutional Amendment that we are supporting

Don’t miss this inspiring video about the Chicago-based Sheilah A. Doyle Foundation Helping Children of Murdered Parents.

New Year 2011 news: Chicago’s Murder Rate Down Report credits smarter policing and longer incarceration of worst offenders

Thank you, States Attorneys and Rep Fred Crespo for HB 693! Support HANNAH’S CAMPAIGN A young stalking victim makes a big difference See photos of the bill signing ceremony!

CVUI founder provides “inspiration” for important national report on Victims’ Rights from Human Rights Watch

New Technology Helps Victims of Stalking

“Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children’s Exposure to Violence” – a great guide for families whose kids have been victims of or witnesses to violence. 

News from the Illinois Coalition for Enforceable Victims Rights

The Sheila A. Doyle Foundation seeks partners in helping children of murder victims to attend the Illinois-based Comfort Zone Camp for grieving children, ages 7-17. The foundation generates scholarships for children of homicide for their education.Support the many wonderful upcoming events in support of our fallen law enforcement heroes and their families – Illinois COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors)

One of the state’s great victims rights advocates is remembered by Senator Toi Hutchinson

Illinois Artist Paints Portraits of Slain Children to Ease Parents Pain  is seeking more murder victims’ families to help. Contact Catholic Social Services of So IL,
8601 West Main, Suite 201, Belleville, IL 62223.

A national non-profit helps victims find a good lawyer FIND LEGAL ADVICE