Bad Check Restitution Program Passes $2 Million Mark

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Bad Check Restitution Program, begun two years ago, has recovered more than $2 million in restitution for individuals and businesses. A little more than 10 percent of that money goes to the county’s coffers. That money has been used by the State’s Attorney’s Office to buy new equipment and provide training for its employees.

“Bad checks can be a serious problem for small businesses,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Richard A. Devine. “This program more than pays for itself, not just in monetary terms, but in supporting local businesses and helping people who may be facing financial difficulties.”

The Bad Check Restitution Program is a unique effort partnering the state’s attorney’s office with a credit-counseling firm. Local businesses in Cook County can receive restitution without paying collection fees. First-time bad check offenders may avoid criminal prosecution by participating in a mandatory, eight-hour intervention class and paying restitution.

All of this is done at no cost to taxpayers.

Since its inception in 2005, the State’s Attorney’s Bad Check Program has resolved more than 39,000 cases involving 83,000 bad checks. Approximately 6, 4000 people have participated in the program. For more information, see www.checkprogram.com/cookcountyil or call 1-800-365-2960.

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