Victim-Witness Assistance Program
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office – Victim-Witness Assistance Unit was established to provide victims and witnesses the assistance and technical support they require, and ultimately, to enhance prosecution processes.
The Victim-Witness Assistance Unit is the largest in the United States, composed of 62 outstanding specialists fully dedicated to support and provide assistance to victims and witnesses. These specialized services are extended to all felony and preliminary hearing courts in Chicago, including juvenile delinquency courts. Such an undertaking is also extended to all felony trial courts throughout the suburban Cook County. Furthermore, the victim-witness assistance program provides specialized services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, gang crimes, misdemeanors, and felony. Disabled victims, members of the LGBTQ+ community victims, senior victims, and the family and friends of homicide victims are also given help. Victims with post-conviction cases are also provided with assistance through appeals and parole hearings by the specialists.
Victim’s Compensation Act
Victim’s Rights in Illinois
Victims and Witnesses may request the following services:
- Reception, guidance, tours, and advocacy in the courtroom
- Information on the judicial system, the criminal justice process, legal terminology, victim’s rights, and court procedures
- Crisis intervention, assistance, and service referrals
- Assistance with preparation of Victim Impact Statements
- Assistance with the return of property used as evidence
- Assistance in resolving case-related problems
- Case Status information
- Arranging transportation to courts, such as ambulance and Medicare services
- Training of court personnel and assistant state’s attorneys on victim’s issues
- Referrals to other services, including crisis intervention and social services agencies, mental health programs, public aid, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, rape victim treatment programs, shelters, civil legal assistance and compensation assistance programs based on necessity
- Landlord, employer, school, creditor, and law enforcement intervention
- Coordination of five adult homicide support groups, a children’s support group, an adolescent support group, monthly informational series, annual homicide victim’s memorial service
- Assistance with homicide compensation and other violent crime claims
The Victim-Witness Program is comprised of different units, including the Post-Conviction Cases, Felony Trial, Felony Preliminary Hearings for the City of Chicago, County-Wide Specialists, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Juvenile Court, and Homicide Services. Individualized Services are provided to the coordinators based upon the nature of the crime involved.
Specialized Programs include:
- Support Groups for Family and Friends of Homicide Victims
- 5 for Adult Family Members
- 1 for Teenagers
- 1 for Children Ages 4 – 12
- Annual Homicide Victim Memorial Service
- Monthly Court Informational Series for Homicide Victim’s Families
- Appellate Court Victim-Witness Assistance Program
- Post-Conviction Victim-Witness Assistance Program
- Annual Victims’ Rights Awareness Week in April
- Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Programs in October
Updated: August 8, 2020