Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his legislation to increase accessibility to the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program was signed into law.
Senate Bill (SB) 3713 is the result of the cooperative efforts of the Attorney General’s office, Ascend Justice, and the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a longtime collaborator with the Attorney General’s office.
“Survivors of violent crime often face enormous financial and emotional barriers to recovery, in addition to the physical trauma they have experienced,” Raoul said. “I want to thank Gov. JB Pritzker for signing this legislation, which is an important step to assist victims and their families. I remain committed to ongoing work with advocates to support survivors, and I will continue to push for increased services and resources for those affected by violent crime.”
The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program – administered by Raoul’s office – provides reimbursement to eligible victims of violent crime and their families, helping to pay expenses that include hospital and medical charges, funeral and burial costs, relocation expenses and lost wages related to the crime. The new law amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act by making the program more accessible to applicants as well as expanding eligibility for both who can apply and what individuals can be reimbursed for.
“We are encouraged by the steps that the Attorney General’s office has taken over the past few years to make the crime victims compensation program more accessible for survivors in Illinois while we continue to advocate for increased access to the program for underserved crime survivors,” said Aswad Thomas, vice president of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and national director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.
The law expands the number of individuals who would be eligible and reduces barriers for victims of violent crime and their families.
“SB 3713 is an important step in making crime victim compensation more accessible and equitable in Illinois, especially for survivors of community violence and gender-based violence,” said Sara Block, managing director of advocacy and partnerships at Ascend Justice. “Many survivors of gender-based violence, such as domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking, endure financial costs associated with their victimization, including relocating to a new home, medical bills, counseling or therapy expenses, and lost wages from missing work. Crime victim compensation is a critical support that reduces these financial burdens so that survivors can focus on healing from the trauma the victimization has caused. Ascend Justice is appreciative of Senator Robert Peters and Representative Maurice West for their sponsorship and leadership to ensure that victims of crime are able to receive the financial compensation they need and deserve. Ascend Justice is also grateful to the Office of the Illinois Attorney General for supporting the bill and its intention, and we look forward to continuing to work together to further strengthen crime victim compensation in Illinois. Ascend Justice extends its gratitude to Governor Pritzker for signing this bill into law so that it can benefit crime victims across the state.”
SB 3713 was sponsored in the Illinois Senate by Sen. Robert Peters and in the Illinois House by State Rep. Maurice A. West, II.
“Each victim's journey is uniquely shaped by a multitude of factors – be it the nature of the crime, their personal circumstances or the broader impact on their lives,” Peters said. “These impacts can touch every part of a person's life, from mental health to relationships, and even long-term financial stability. Expanding definitions to encompass all forms of loss and suffering enables us to build a more comprehensive and empathetic system that validates the full spectrum of a victim’s experience, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”
“This legislation will strengthen the response and resources provided to victims of violent crime to make them whole again, and I’m grateful for Attorney General Raoul’s partnership,” West said. “This legislation would not have been possible without the advocacy and support of the Crime Victim Compensation Workgroup and other organizations that serve the survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and community violence. Signing this bill into law will more expeditiously bring justice to survivors of violence and allow them to begin the healing process.”
The law is part of Raoul’s ongoing efforts to support victims and address violent crime throughout the state. The Attorney General’s Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division helps victims and families on their road to recovery with trauma-informed, statewide programs and resources. For additional information on services for crime victims or to report a violation of victims’ rights, please call the Attorney General’s Crime Victims Assistance Line at 1-800-228-3368 or visit the Attorney General’s website.
