Crime / Punishment

Illinois - Crime Victims' Rights

Crime victims have the following rights as provided by law:

The right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.
The right to notification of court proceedings.
The right to confer with the prosecution.
The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing.
The right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release of the accused.
The right to timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused;
The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process.
The right to be present at the trial and all other court proceedings on the same basis as the accused, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines that the victim's testimony would be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at the trial.
The right to have present at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence, an advocate or other support person of the victim's choice.
The right to restitution.

What is a Violent Crime for Purposes of Compensation?

What Expenses May Be Covered?

Medical and hospital expenses.
Funeral and burial up to a total of $5,000.
Counseling by licensed psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, or certified social workers.
Loss of earnings / Loss of support up to $1,000 per month.
Replacement services loss due to a permanently disabled or fatally injured person who had been
providing services for themselves or their family.
Prosthetic devices.
Wheel chairs (and some other accessibility expenses, e.g., ramps).
Eye glasses and hearing aids.
Tuition reimbursement under certain circumstances.
Crime scene clean-up.
Replacement costs for clothing/bedding used as evidence.
Replacement costs of locks and/or windows damaged by a violent crime.
Temporary lodging and relocation costs.
Travel and transport for survivors of homicide victims and transport of the body.