Helping Crime Victims

Crime Victims Assistance Line: 1-800-228-3368 (Voice) 1-877-398-1130 (TTY)

Crime Victims Compensation Application now available online

Violent crime is a senseless, often random act, and it is far too common in today’s society. Victims and their families need support as they attempt to rebuild lives torn apart by tragedy.

The Attorney General's Office has made it a priority to provide a variety of services to help victims meet the challenges that often result from a violent crime and to help them regain peace of mind. Programs administered by the Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division include:

The Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Program The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program offers reimbursement up to $27,000 ($45,000 eff. 8/7/22) for expenses incurred by eligible victims as a result of a violent crime. If you or someone you love has been impacted by a violent crime, please call our toll-free Crime Victims Assistance Line for more information: 1-800-228-3368 (Voice) 1-877-398-1130 (TTY). You can also apply for compensation or learn more at http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/cvcapply.

Materials are available to download, print and distribute.

Crime Victims Compensation Act Program Fact Sheet (en Español)

Crime Victims Compensation Act Amendments Fact Sheet

The Domestic Violence Fund provides funding for legal advocacy, legal assistance, and legal services to victims of domestic violence who are or have been married or in a civil union. This fund is awarded from a portion of marriage license fees and a portion of civil union license fees. Any public or private not-for-profit agency that provides legal services to victims of domestic violence may apply to the Illinois Attorney General for funding from the Domestic Violence Fund.

The Violent Crime Victim Assistance (VCVA) Program provides grants to victim and witness assistance programs throughout the state. The VCVA Grant Program is administered by the Attorney General’s Crime Victim Services Division. Fines are collected from any person in Illinois convicted of a violent crime as a source of funding for victim-centered servicesThe Office provides updates on the VCVA grant program, announcements and reports.

The Illinois VINE System The Illinois VINE System (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) provides victims with a website or toll-free number they can access for up-to-date information on the custody and/or case status of an offender. The Illinois VINE system is available at www.vinelink.com. Victims can register for an automatic notification of a change in a case or custody status of an inmate, create a Watch list, and access victim service providers through the Illinois VINE. Illinois VINE is also available by phone at 1-866-5-NOTIFY (Voice) 1-877-502-2423 (TTY). Notifications are available by email, text message, phone call, or through the VINE application for mobile devices.

The Statewide Victim Assistance Program provides assistance to victims, witnesses, and service providers across Illinois. The Office of the Attorney General provides support to crime victims and witnesses who are involved in cases that are being prosecuted by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program trains registered nurses and other professionals who treat and assist sexual assault patients to reduce re-traumatization of victims, improve the quality of forensic evidence collection, which in turn increases prosecution rates of offenders. To register for a SANE training or to inquire about upcoming trainings, please contact:
Conference Registration Line: 1-866-376-7215, SANE@ilag.gov.

The Illinois Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and their household members with a substitute address to use as their home, school, and work addresses, instead of the actual addresses. The ACP Substitute Address helps prevent perpetrators from locating survivors. To apply to participate in the Illinois Address Confidentiality Program, please complete the Online ACP Application.

The Sexual Assault Incident Procedure Act:
The Sexual Assault Incident Procedure Act contains new requirements for law enforcement authorities and hospitals to improve their response to sexual assault victims.

Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Services Implementation Task Force
The Implementation Task Force was created by Public Act 100-0775 to assist Hospitals and Approved Pediatric Health Care Facilities with implementing changes to the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA). Public Act 100-0775 significantly amends SASETA to ensure quality medical forensic services are provided to all sexual assault survivors.

Outreach and Education Activities
Crime Victim Services staff conduct outreach and educational trainings and workshops to inform victims about the compensation program and other services we provide.The Division also coordinates educational opportunities to help build the capacity of advocates, vendors and criminal justice system professionals. For more information, please contact our Outreach Specialist, Kim Murray, at 312-814-2468, or kmurray@ilag.gov.

VOICES Act

Effective January 1, 2019, the Illinois Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES Act) set guidelines for requests submitted to law enforcement agencies in Illinois asking the agency to complete the certification form an individual may include in his or her federal application for a “U” or “T” visa. To submit a request to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office pursuant to the VOICES Act, please contact voicesrequest@ilag.gov.

OTHER RESOURCES

Workshops, Training & Conferences: Check out upcoming workshops, trainings, and conferences providing resources and information to assist and support crime victims in Illinois.

Downloadable Resources: Download various Crime Victim Services Division brochures, fact sheets, and applications.

Links: Check out this list of links to various related Web sites.

For additional information on the Crime Victim Services Division, please contact: