VICTIMS RIGHTS AND COMPENSATION

Victims of Violent Crimes have rights which are listed below in the “Victim Bill of Rights.”  
Victims are also eligible to apply for financial compensation through the Illinois Attorney General if they are:

• A person who was the victim of a violent crime in this state;

• A survivor of a victim of a violent crime and dependent upon the victim for support;

• A relative of the victim and you incurred reasonable funeral and/or medical expenses;

• A parent of a child who is a victim of violent crime;

• An Illinois resident who became a victim of a violent crime in another state or country that does not have a compensation fund for crime victims; or

• A person under the age of 18 whose immediate family member is a victim of a violent crime.

To apply for financial compendsation please download the Crime Victim's Compendsation Application at the following link and then submit to the following: Download Form
            Lisa Madigan, Attorney General
            Crime Victims Compensation Program
            100 West Randolph Street
            Chicago, Illinois 60601
            (800) 228-3368 (voice/TTY)
If you ned assistance completeing this form, please feel free to contact a MADD representative: Contact Us

Rights to Victims Upon Request:

(1)       To be informed of the status of the investigation, unless the State’s Attorney determines that disclosure of such information would unreasonably interfere with the investigation.

(2)       To be informed by the State’s Attorney of the release of the defendant on bail or personal recognizance.

(3)       To have the details of any plea or verdict explained by the State’s Attorney in nontechnical language.

(4)       To be notified by the State’s Attorney of the ultimate disposition of the case.

(5)       To be informed by the Prisoner Review Board of prisoner’s final discharge from State custody and by the Sheriff of the appropriate county of a prisoner’s final discharge from the county custody, also to be informed of the prisoner’s release on furlough; and where feasible to be informed at least seven days prior to a prisoner’s furlough of the times and date of such furlough.  The State’s Attorney shall notify the victim once of the times and dates of release of a prisoner sentenced to periodic imprisonment.

(6)       Where the defendant has been committed to the Department of Mental Health and to be notified by the releasing authority of the defendant’s discharge from State custody.

(7)       To be provided with appropriate employer intercession services by the State’s Attorney or Victim Advocate personnel to ensure that employers of victims will cooperate with the criminal justice system in order to minimize an employee’s loss of pay and other benefits resulting from court appearances.

Rights to Victims Without Request:

(8)       To be notified by the State’s Attorney of the filing of information or the return of an indictment by which a prosecution for any violent crime is commenced.

(9)       To be notified by the State’s Attorney of all court proceedings at which the victim’s presence is required, and to be notified of the cancellation of any scheduled court appearance in sufficient time.

(10)     To be notified by the State’s Attorney of the date, time, and place of any hearings at which a plea of guilty will be entered, or notice of any sentencing hearing including notice of the right to make a victim impact statement as provided by law.

(11)     To be informed by the State’s Attorney or Victim Advocate personnel of Social Services and financial assistance for victims of violent crime, including information on how to apply for these services and assistance.

(12)     To have any stolen or other personal property held by law enforcement authorities for evidentiary or other purposes returned as expeditiously as possible.

(13)     To be provided, whenever possible, a secure waiting area during court proceedings.

(14)     To be provided with the services of a translator.

(15)     In the event of an escape from State custody, the Department of Corrections immediately shall notify the Prisoner Review Board of the escape and the Prisoner Review Board shall notify the victim.  Such notification shall be based upon the most recent information as to the victim’s residence or other location available to the Board.  When the escapee is apprehended, the Department of Corrections immediately shall notify the Prisoner Review Board and the Board shall notify the victim.

(16)     The victim of the violent crime for which the prisoner has been sentenced shall receive reasonable written notice not less than fifteen days prior to the parole hearing and may submit, in writing or in personal at the parole hearing, information for consideration by the Prisoner Review Board.  The victim shall be notified immediately after the prisoner has been granted parole and shall be informed of the right to inspect the registry of parole decisions.

(17)     In the case of the death of a person, which death occurred in the same transaction from which a defendant is charged with an offense, the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the decedent shall be notified by the State’s Attorney of the date of the trial of the person allegedly responsible for the death, and be provided with written notification of their rights to this Act.