Attorney General Kwame Raoul recognized National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on Apr. 20 by highlighting the work of his office’s Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division and the support available for victims.
The announcement underscores efforts to assist survivors of violent crime in Illinois, as well as the importance of ensuring that victims have access to resources and their legal rights. The Attorney General’s office provides a range of programs intended to help individuals overcome trauma and regain stability after experiencing violence.
Raoul said, “It is incumbent on all of us to wrap our arms around survivors of violent crime in our communities. We want survivors to know we are here for them, and we have resources to assist. The programs provided by my office’s Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division help survivors access the tools they need to overcome trauma and get their lives back on track. My office remains committed to supporting survivors and doing all we can to prevent violent crime in Illinois.”
Among its initiatives, the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program reimburses eligible victims for expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, relocation expenses, and lost wages related to crimes. Recent changes have made it easier for more people to qualify for assistance. The division processes over 5,000 claims each year with an average monthly compensation recommendation of $600,000.
The Attorney General’s office awarded more than $17 million in grants last fiscal year across over 280 agencies serving approximately 88,500 individuals statewide. Other services include the Statewide Victim Assistance Program; training programs such as those offered through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) initiative; an Address Confidentiality Program that serves more than 550 participants; educational outreach; investigations into complaints about victims’ rights violations; and a toll-free assistance line that fielded over 9,600 calls last year.
According to the official website, Raoul has advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, seniors; handled thousands of consumer complaints annually; aimed at protecting consumers while promoting safer communities and environmental issues; extended advocacy across Illinois; partnered with law enforcement on victim support efforts; and offered complaint filing services related to consumer fraud or civil rights.
The broader impact includes increased awareness about available resources for crime victims throughout Illinois along with expanded eligibility criteria designed so more people can receive aid when needed most.
