Crime Victim Compensation Violent crime is a senseless, often random act, and we see far too much of it in today’s society. It is no longer enough to ensure that offenders receive punishment under the law. Victims and their families need our support as they attempt to rebuild lives torn apart by tragedy. - Lisa Madigan Illinois Attorney General
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Crime Victim Compensation
Violent crime is a senseless, often random act, and we see far too much of it in today’s society. It is no longer enough to ensure that offenders receive punishment under the law. Victims and their families need our support as they attempt to rebuild lives torn apart by tragedy.
- Lisa Madigan Illinois Attorney General
Crime Victim Compensation Act offers financial assistance to victims and their families of violent crime.
• Established by Illinois General Assembly in 1973 with the primary goal of helping to reduce financial burden imposed on victims and their families
• Joint process between the Office of the Attorney General and Illinois Secretary of State’s Office (Court of Claims)
• Under CVC Act, funds are collected from convicted criminals and distributed to crime victims who face financial losses as a result of being a victim of a crime
• May be eligible to receive compensation up to $ 27,000
• May be eligible for an emergency award up to $ 2,000
• Victim must fill out application and return it to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG)
• OAG investigates and verifies info on application – may request additional info and/or interview
• OAG makes recommendation and submits report to the Court of Claims
• Court of Claims makes final decision
• Victim usually receives claim number within 30 days
• Takes about 6 months before money is disbursed
• Victim will probably have to pay upfront and then be reimbursed
• Victim of sexual abuse/assault should not fill out this application in ER
Illinois Safe Homes Act – Effective Jan. 2007
• End lease (written or oral) early and leave the premises without being responsible for rent after leaving
– Must give landlord written notice 3 days before or after you leave home and show there is a credible imminent threat of harm on the premises
– Sexual assault victims may end lease early WITHOUT showing a credible imminent threat if an act of sexual violence occurred on the premises against anyone in the household
Housing protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence
• Emergency lock change 1. Victim does NOT share a written lease with
perpetrator– Must give landlord written request from all
tenants on the lease and include all evidence such as police reports, medical records, court records, etc.
2. Victim shares an oral or written lease with perpetrator– Need court order granting exclusive possession of
the premises
– Must give landlord written request from all tenants, except the perpetrator, and include a copy of the court order
• Landlord must change the locks or give tenant permission to change them within 48 hours of the written request—if not, tenant may change without permission or sue landlord
• Safe Homes Act covers private rental housing, subsidized housing, including Section 8, but does NOT include public housing
Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA)
• Applies to all employers with at least 15 employees
- 15 – 49 employees = entitled to a total of 8 workweeks of leave during any 12 month period
- 50 or more employees = entitled to a total of 12 workweeks of leave during any 12 month period
- Victims do not have to take the leave all at once
Unpaid leave for victims to address issues arising from domestic or sexual violence
• Job is guaranteed – Victim’s boss cannot fire or demote her/him because they took VESSA leave
• Employers must maintain the confidentiality of all information pertaining to VESSA leave
• Victims do not have to tell the police or file criminal charges to take advantage of VESSA
• Requirements
﹣ At least 48 hours advance notice except in cases where it is not practicable to provide such notice
﹣ Certification Requirement (sworn statement of employee and police report, court record, and/or documentation from a service provider)
• If rights under this Act have been violated, victim may file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor within 3 years after the violation occurred