Informational Brochure - Crime Victim Compensation Program

A Message from the
State’s Attorney
State’s Attorney’s Office
- Main Numbers and Locations -
Victim Witness Assistance Unit
Criminal Courts Building
2650 S. California Avenue, Chicago
(773) 674-7200
Domestic Violence Division
555 W. Harrison, Room 2700, Chicago
(312) 325-9220
Crime Victim
Compensation
Program
First Municipal Division
555 W. Harrison, Room 2700, Chicago
(312) 325-9200
This program can be of great financial help for
many victims who may not have the resources to
cover the expenses incurred as a result of the
crime.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office can
help you determine if you are eligible for this
program and we encourage you to contact our
victim specialists for assistance.
Rolling Meadows Courthouse
2121 Euclid Avenue
(847) 818-2326
Maywood Courthouse
1500 Maybrook Drive
(708) 865-6080
Bridgeview Courthouse
10220 S. 76th Avenue
(708) 974-6250
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Those who are eligible may receive
compensation for such expenses as out of pocket
medical and hospital costs, funeral and burial
expenses, loss of earnings and counseling
services.
Skokie Courthouse
5600 Old Orchard Road
(847) 470-7300
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If you have been the victim of a violent crime or are
the family member of a victim, you may be able to
receive compensation under the Illinois Crime
Victim Compensation Act.
Markham Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Avenue
(708) 232-4040
Juvenile Justice Bureau
1100 S. Hamilton Avenue, Chicago
(312) 433-7000
Daley Center
50 W. Washington Street, Chicago
(312) 603-5440
Child Support Enforcement
28 N. Clark, Chicago
(312) 345-2200
Anita Alvarez
Cook County State's Attorney
www.statesattorney.org
Cook County Administration Building
69 W. Washington, Chicago
(312) 603-1880
Anita
AnitaAlvarez
Alvarez
Cook County State’s Attorney
Crime Victim Compensation
You may be eligible to apply for crime victim
compensation if:
You were injured as a result of a violent crime,
providing you had no contributing role that led to
your victimization.
You were injured while assisting the victim of a
violent crime.
You were injured while assisting a law
enforcement officer responding to a violent
crime.
You are the relative of a victim mentioned in the
above categories and incurred reasonable
funeral and/or medical expenses.
You are a minor who witnessed a violent crime
committed against a relative that resulted in
death.
You were financially dependent on a victim who
died as a result of a violent crime.
Important: Under Illinois law, guardianship, not
custodial status, establishes standing as a relative.
Which Crimes Are Compensable?
Crimes that may be compensable under Illinois
law include:
Murder (1st & 2nd Degree)
Involuntary Manslaughter
Reckless Homicide
Kidnapping / Aggravated Kidnapping
Battery / Aggravated Battery / Heinous Battery
Program Information
Total compensation may not exceed $27,000.
The Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Act will not pay for
expenses that were already reimbursed or for those that
could have been reimbursed by another source. The
program provides a secondary source of compensation,
which means that you must exhaust all other benefits
reasonably available — such as private and public
insurance — before a claim will be paid.
Assault / Aggravated Assault
Sexual Relations with Families
Criminal Sexual Assault
Criminal Sexual Abuse
Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse
Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault
Exploitation of a Child
Child Pornography
Exceptions include annuities, pension plans, Social
Security benefits payable to dependents of the victim and
the first $25,000 of life insurance. There is no
compensation under this program for pain and suffering or
for property damage.
While eligibility for this program is generally determined by
the guidelines outlined in this brochure, the final decision
as to whether a claim will be paid rests with the Illinois Court
of Claims.
Stalking / Aggravated Stalking
Beyond eligibility, there are additional requirements that
must be satisfied to qualify for the compensation
program for violent crime victims in Illinois. Those
requirements include:
The crime must be reported to the appropriate law
enforcement authorities within 72 hours or in a
timely manner, depending on the circumstances.
The applicant must cooperate fully with law
enforcement.
The application must be received by the Illinois
Attorney General’s Office by the following
deadlines:
It must be submitted within two years of the
date of the crime.
A juvenile victim can apply for the
compensation within two years after he or
she reaches the age of 18, if the parent or
guardian did not previously apply.
The application must be submitted within two
years of the removal of legal disability status.
Domestic Battery / Aggravated Domestic Battery
Additional resources to explore information about
compensation may include:
Reckless Conduct
Driving Under the Influence
Arson / Aggravated Arson
Violation of an Order of Protection
In Illinois, victim compensation may include
compensation for:
Medical expenses, nursing care, counseling by a
clinical psychologist or a certified social worker
resulting from a physical injury.
Loss of earnings or support of up to $1,000 a month.
U.S. Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213
Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
(312) 743-0300
Illinois Department of Human Services
(800) 843-6154
Your Employee Union
Your Church
Tuition reimbursement under some circumstances.
Funeral and burial costs up to $5,000.
This project was supported by Grant #2008-VA-GX-0026, awarded by
the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S.
Department of Justice, through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information
Authority. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are
those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position
or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice, or the Illinois Criminal
Justice Information Authority.
For more information contact:
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Victim Witness
Assistance Unit at (773) 674-7200.
Anita Alvarez
Cook County State’s Attorney