Resources for crime victims are few and far between – a real source of frustration when we see the seemingly endless resources expended on offenders. Below is a list of programs, organizations, and services available to Illinois’ crime victims that we are aware of. If you know of others that we could also list, please contact us.
For nationally based resources, victims’ organizations and programs, please see our National Page.
Illinois Based Resources for Crime Victims
TO REGISTER for the Automated Victim Notification (AVN) system to receive updates on the location and status of incarcerated offenders in your Illinois Case see the Illinois Attorney General Victims Services.
 To apply for the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Fund (which we highly encourage all victims to do)
Victim Relations at the Illinois Prisoner Review Board
VICTIM SERVICES for the Illinois Department of Corrections
Illinois Violent Death Reporting System
Victim Witness Assistance Program of Cook County
States Attorney of Cook County, Illinois 2650 S. California, B1-Level, Chicago IL 60608, 773-869-7200Â - (sessions divide by age)
2650 S California – 12th Floor Library
Chicago, IL, 773-869-5321
Meets 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon
2011 Schedule: Jan 22, Feb 26, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug 20, Sept. 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17
Sessions will split into three groups: Adults, Children ages 4-11, Adolescents age 12-18
Illinois Department of Human Services – Division of Mental Health
1-866-359-7953 Call Toll Free
ILLINOIS and NATIONAL VICTIM RESOURCESÂ
After the Trauma – for victims and survivors of domestic violence nationally, Mildred Mohammed (ex-wife of the DC sniper)
Angel Corps Network, A developing project of Chicago area Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network (UCAN)Â – Licensed clinical psychologists and Victims of Violence, under professional social workers, work in Peer Support for other victims of violence in the Chicago Area and crisis response. Support and Referrals – Â A 24 Hour Victim Services Hotline is at 312-388-2900
ATTORNEYSÂ – a non-profit that helps people find a good lawyer and the right kind of lawyer FIND LEGAL ADVICE
Bereaved Parents USA with grief support chapter meetings monthly throughout Illinois and the nation
CASA -in downstate Belleville, Illinois, St. Clair County, serving Abused and Neglected Children 618-234-4278
City of Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line: 1-877-TO END DV (1-877-863-6338) is staffed by domestic violence trained advocates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service from the Mayor’s office is confidential, multi-lingual and will link victims to the right program they need.
Chicago Department of Human Services - Individual and Group Counseling HELP LINE 1-800-843-6154
Chicago Foundation for Women “Ending Abuse of Women and Girls Starts With US” www.whatwillittake.org
Cindy Bischof Family Campaign against Domestic Violence www.cindysmemorial.org
Citizens Resource for Women and Children - Domestic Violence advocacy based in suburban Chicago, also supporting studies into preventing violent crime by better understanding the nature of psychopathology.
Community Mental Health Center – 8704 S Constance, Chicago, IL 60617, 773-734-4033
Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) – Illinois Chapter
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Victim-Witness Assistance Program 773-869-7200
Support Groups for Families (sessions divide by age) – 2650 S California – 13th Floor, Chicago, 773-869-5321
CounterQuo - a website and resource challenging the way we respond to Sexual Violence in our nation
Courthouse Dogs - Emotional Support for Victims of Crime
IACP - The International Association of Chiefs of Police:
Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims: Strategy Package - a very significant program for bettering law enforcement relations with victims – download at www.theiacp.org
The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic ViolenceÂ
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Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline – 877-863-6338
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Forever Network – post videos online of murdered loved ones www.forevernetwork.com
Gang Victims Blog at www.SafeNeighborhoodsAct.com
GunVictims.org -a national network of victims and survivors of gun violence.
Horizon Hospice – Individual Counseling, 833 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, 312-733-8900
Illinois Attorney General’s Financial Assistance for Victims 800-228-3368
Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors
Illinois Department of Corrections Victims’ Services
Justice Interrupted -the victim advocacy work of activist Susan Murphy Milano
KidsPeace - help and hope for Kids in Crisis
Mothers in Charge – Moms of murdered children in the Philadelphia area
momsforpeace@aol.com 215-228-1718
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Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network – National NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons) Blog
Murder Victims Families for Human Rights
National Association to Protect Children
National Association of Victims Rights Attorneys free online training courses on various victim topics
National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) 800-394-2255
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Crime Prevention Council with programs for keeping kids safe from crime, including McGruff the Crime Dog and his “kid safe browser” for the internet
National Crime Victims Bar Association provides technical support to attorneys representing crime victims in civil actions, refers crime victims to lawyers in their local area, and works to increase general awareness about the availability
of civil remedies for victims of crime.
National CrimeVictimsOrgNetwork – a Yahoo Group listserve for crime victims
National Day of Concern www.pledge.org
National District Attorneys Association
National Domestic Violence Hotline and share your voice blog
The National Institute of Justice
released its information page addressing Gun Violence Prevention – includes information on Evaluating Gun Violence as an Illicit Supply-and-Demand Marketplace, Gun Violence Programs: Project Safe Neighborhoods, and Gun Violence Prevention: Programs and Strategies
and an NIJ Report on ELDER ABUSE.
National Institute of Justice Programs and Publications
National Center on Elder Abuse
National Organization of Victim Assistance NOVA 1-800-799-7233
National Sex Offender Public Website – including victims services
New Jersey Crime Victims Law Center – Richard Pompelio, Esq., 760 Route 10 West, Suite 203, Whippany, NJ 07981, Ph (973) 729-9342, Fax (973) 240-7316, Cell (973) 903-9848
OVC Guide for working with victims of Sexual Assault
OVC Guide for victims of Terrorism and Mass Murder – a great read to learn about TerrorismÂ
OVC TTAC – Technical Training and Assistance – free training available for wide variety of victims needs, issues, and services
OVC’s national guide to victims resources http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/findvictimservices/
Parents of Murdered Children with homicide support groups all over Illinois and the nation
Chicago Area Chapter – 773-660-9659 or 773- 847-1613 meets at Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2800 W. 95th St., on the 1st Thursday of each month, 7-9 pm
Westside Chapter – Samantha Glover, chapter leader, 708-576-8326, meets at Mt Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. California, 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8:30 pm, Emma Daviston,  Co-Leader 773-521-7329
Peoria County States Attorney Victim Assistance 309-672-6900
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East St. Louis’ Project HEAVEN for Crime Victims Services Â
SENIOR SUPPORT GROUP – Bridgeview Courthouse, 10220 S 76th Ave Room 223, Bridgeview, IL – 773-869-7215  �
STOPFAMILYVIOLENCE.org – resources, including videos, for families facing custody battles involving family violence
SNAP -
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VictimLaw.org - An incredible new resource from the National Center for Victims of Crimes. A completely comprehensive database of every single aspect of victims rights and needs from around the nation. Search all cases and state, local and federal laws. User friendly and the definitive source for victims to get information.
Victory Over Violence - A victim led program that helps work for violence prevention, especially with Youth. Helpful materials for their program to Take the Pledge against violence!
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WBJ Press and WillsWorld.com
The best book nationally for victims of traumatic loss, homicides, suidicide, car accident – What To Do When The Police Leave: A Guide To The First Days Of Traumatic Loss  WHEATON – Dept of Probation and Court Services VICTIM OFFENDER CONFERENCE program 630-407-8400
Wiki Law - a legal resource for crime victims and the public
WITNESS JUSTICE is a national victim advocacy organization based in Maryland whose mission is to empower and assist victims of violence and their loved ones in healing from trauma and in navigating the criminal justice process. their loved ones wi Â
The Women’s Alliance in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Victim Activist Consander Snowden 773-370-1892
YWCA Rape Crisis Centers –
with seven locations in Chicago alone, the downtown location at 360 N. Michigan can be reached at 312-372-6600 ext 773Â Â
911 Cell Phone Bank
The 911 Cell Phone Bank is a non-profit created to provide an ongoing source of 911 cell phones and funds to meet unexpected and urgent needs of participating law enforcement and affiliated victim services agencies in a partnership with the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and National Association of Triads, Inc. (NATI). To learn more, visit www.911CellPhoneBank.org.
Victim Assistance Charities Â
The Sheila A. Doyle Foundation providing grief camps and college scholarships for children of murder victims.
Cindy Bischof Foundation
Providing support and assistance for victims of domestic violence
RELATED RESOURCES
Save A Life Foundation (SALF)
An organization dedicated to the emergency medical service (EMS) professionals who serve as mentors and positive role models, encouraging our youth to consider a career in EMS or public service. www.salf.org
The annual FAMILY VIOLENCE LEGISLATIVE Update is available and filled with information about laws, trends, and policies affecting families, communities, crime, victims, and the law.